WATCH: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur forced to apologise after calling Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a "deshbhakt", blames media for 'twisting' her statement

Hours after massive controversy broke over her remarks, BJP Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on Thursday has tendered an apology for calling Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse a "deshbhakt" (patriot).

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur said that those were her personal remarks and apologised for hurting the sentiments of the people. She further stated that she made those remarks in a "hurry" during her roadshow. 

"It was my personal opinion remark. I was at a roadshow. I was asked the question and I said the answer in a hurry. My intention was not to hurt anyone's sentiments. If I've hurt anyone I do apologise. What Gandhi Ji has done for the country cannot be forgotten. I respect him a lot," the BJP leader said.

However, she went onto blame the media for twisting her statement, reiterating that her party BJP's line is her line. 

"My statement has been twisted by the media. I have not seen the TV, but I am dedicated to my party which is why party's line is my line," she added.

Watch the video here:

READ | Asaduddin Owaisi Slams Kamal Nath's M.P Government, EC, And Home Minister Rajnath Singh Over Sadhvi Pragya's "Nathuram Is A Deshbhakt" Remark

Earlier in the day, while responding to a reporter's question on MNM chief Kamal Haasan's 'free India's first terrorist was a Hindu' remark in reference to Nathuram Godse, Sadhvi Pragya said that Godse will always remain a "Deshbhakt". 

"Nathuram Godse was a 'Deshbhakt', is a 'Deshbhakt' and will remain a 'Deshbhakt'. People calling him a terrorist should instead look within, such people will be given a befitting reply in these elections," Thakur had said. 

Following her remarks, Thakur's own party distanced itself from her controversial statement with BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao clarifying that the party disagree with her statement and asked her to tender an apology.

"We are seeing in the media channels a statement made by Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur about the Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi Ji. We completely disagree with the statement she has made with regard to Mahatma Gandhi and we strongly condemn this particular statement. The party, the BJP will ask as to why she made such a statement to seek or tender a public apology for her, this objectionable statement," he had said.

READ | CONTROVERSIAL: "Nathuram Godse Was, Is, And Will Always Remain A Deshbhakt," Says Sadhvi Pragya Thakur Attacking Kamal Haasan Over His 'Godse' Remark