Ballia, Nov 28 (IANS): Even though the BJP has distanced itself from its MP Pragya Thakur's remarks on Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, UP BJP MLA Surendra Singh has defended Godse.

"Nathuram Godse committed a mistake but he was not a terrorist. Those who are involved in anti-national activities are terrorists," the MLA told reporters on Thursday.

He further said, "Godse committed a mistake. He should have not killed patriot Gandhiji. 'Unse bhool ho gayi'."

Thakur had stirred a major controversy on Wednesday with her remark in the Lok Sabha during DMK member A. Raja's narration of a statement by Nathuram Godse before a court on why he killed Mahatma Gandhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that his party condemns any philosophy which describes Mahatma Gandhi's killer as a patriot.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has also barred Thakur from attending its parliamentary party meeting in the current Parliament session and removed her from the consultative committee on defence.

BJP Working President J.P. Nadda said, "The statement given by MP Pragya Thakur is condemnable. BJP never supports such statements and we do not support this ideology."

Surendra Singh has a history of making controversial statements. He has made objectionable statements on Muslims and politicians like Mayawati but surprisingly the state BJP has never reprimanded him on the issue.