Rahul Gandhi’s Savarkar Remarks Draw SC Rebuke
Supreme Court Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Comments
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The Supreme Court wasn’t happy with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s past remarks about freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. On Thursday, the court warned Gandhi against making similar statements in the future.
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This comes after Gandhi challenged an Allahabad High Court order that refused to cancel summons issued to him in a defamation case. The case stems from comments Gandhi made about Savarkar during a rally in Maharashtra in November 2022, part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Gandhi had allegedly called Savarkar a “British servant” who received a pension from the colonial government.
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Mahatma Gandhi and ‘Your Faithful Servant’
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During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench questioned Gandhi’s lawyer, Abhishek Singhvi, about whether he knew that even Mahatma Gandhi used phrases like “your faithful servant” in his communications with the British. Justice Dipankar Datta pointed out this historical context, asking, “Would that make him a servant of the British?”
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A Strong Warning from the Court
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The court strongly advised Gandhi against making such comments, stating, “You are a political leader. Why should you make comments like this? Don’t do this. If the intention wasn’t to provoke, then why make such statements?”
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The bench emphasized the importance of respecting freedom fighters, saying, “No more words on our freedom fighters. They gave us our freedom — this is not the way to treat them.”
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Stay on the Trial and Further Action
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While the court issued strong warnings, it did stay the Allahabad High Court’s order that refused to quash the trial court’s summons against Gandhi. The court also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant, advocate Nripendra Pandey.
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Justice Datta also criticized Gandhi’s statement, saying, “When you don’t know the history of India, you shouldn’t make such comments. In Maharashtra, Savarkar is worshipped by many.”
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Gandhi’s Defense and the Case’s Future
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Gandhi’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, clarified that Gandhi never intended to incite hatred or create enmity. He acknowledged the court’s message as “loud and clear.” The case, filed by Pandey, includes charges of promoting enmity and public mischief, accusing Gandhi of deliberately insulting Savarkar.
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The Lucknow bench of the high court had earlier suggested Gandhi could seek relief through a revision plea before a sessions court, making intervention by the high court unnecessary. This prompted Gandhi to approach the Supreme Court.
