“Know History Before Speaking”: SC Raps Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remark

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice on a plea filed by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, challenging an Allahabad High Court order that refused to quash summons issued to him in a criminal defamation case concerning his remarks on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

During the hearing, a Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan came down heavily on Gandhi for his statements made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra’s Akola on November 17, 2022. The Court sternly remarked, “This is not the way you treat our freedom fighters when you know nothing about the history and geography of India.”

The judges also questioned the historical understanding behind Gandhi’s remarks. “Does your client know that even Mahatma Gandhi used it… ‘your faithful servant’… while addressing the Viceroy?” the Court asked, further adding, “Does your client know that his grandmother, when she was Prime Minister, sent a letter praising the gentleman… the freedom fighter?”

Expressing deep disapproval of the statements, the Bench warned against any further such conduct. “Let him not make these irresponsible statements about our freedom fighters,” the Court observed. When senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Gandhi, argued that the remarks were not intended to create enmity, the Court retorted, “If the intention is not there, why make such comments?”

The judges further noted, “Somebody who is a person of stature… leader of a political party… why should you comment trouble like this?” Making its position clear, the Bench stated, “Let us be very clear – any further statement, we will take up suo motu and no question of sanction. We will not allow anybody to speak about our freedom fighters… they have given us freedom and this is how we speak?”

Following these observations, the Court proceeded to issue notice and granted a conditional stay on the trial court proceedings, subject to the condition that Gandhi refrains from making any further remarks of a similar nature.

The defamation case stems from Gandhi’s comments made during a rally in Akola, where he allegedly made disparaging statements about Savarkar. The complaint was filed by advocate Nripendra Pandey, who accused Gandhi of deliberately insulting the revered freedom fighter.

Earlier on April 4, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had dismissed Gandhi’s petition, observing that he could seek redress by approaching the sessions court through a revision petition.

Gandhi has now turned to the apex court seeking relief from the ongoing legal proceedings initiated based on the complaint.