New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday warned Rahul Gandhi against making adverse remarks about freedom fighters as it stayed a trial court summons over remarks about VD Savarkar.
A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan warned the Congress leader from making further derogatory remarks against Savarkar, noting he is “worshipped” in Maharashtra.
Mr Gandhi will face consequences if he persists, the court said, “We won’t allow any statements against our freedom fighters. Next, someone will say Mahatma Gandhi was a ‘servant to the British’.”
“Does your client know Gandhi also used ‘your faithful servant’ while addressing the Viceroy? Does your client know his grandmother, when she was Prime Minister, sent a letter praising the gentleman?”
In further strong comments, the court also said, “They gave us freedom and you treat them like this…” and labelled Mr Gandhi’s earlier comment on Savarkar “irresponsible”.
“Let’s not make irresponsible statements on freedom fighters… you (Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Mr Gandhi) made a good point on law and are entitled to a stay.”
Mr Gandhi was also told the court will take suo motu cognisance of further comments.
The court, however, did stay criminal proceedings over a case filed in Uttar Pradesh by a Nripendra Pandey. The complainant alleged Mr Gandhi had “intentionally” insulted VD Savarkar.
The court also issued notices to Mr Pandey and the UP government to respond to Rahul Gandhi’s plea to quash the complaint. Mr Gandhi approached the top court to challenge an Allahabad High Court order refusing to quash summons issued by the trial court.
The case stems from November 2022 comments in Maharashtra’s Akola during Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The BJP has pounced quickly on the court’s rebuke to Mr Gandhi, declaring the stay on summons was not a reprieve. “It is not a reprieve… it is an advice for him. The way he keeps insulting Veer Savarkar, he will not be forgiven if he continues to do it,” the BJP’s Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters.