New Delhi, April 25: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned whether Rahul Gandhi is aware that his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had written a letter praising Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The court also warned the Congress MP not to make controversial statements about freedom fighters in the future, or he would have to "face consequences."
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan expressed disapproval of Gandhi's remarks about Savarkar. Justice Datta further questioned senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Gandhi, asking if Mahatma Gandhi could be considered a "servant of the British" merely because he used the phrase "your faithful servant" in his correspondence with the Viceroy.
"Does your client know that Mahatma Gandhi also referred to himself as 'your faithful servant' in letters to the Viceroy? Is he aware that his grandmother, while serving as Prime Minister, sent a letter praising Savarkar?" Justice Datta asked Singhvi.
The bench emphasized that such statements could not be made without a thorough understanding of the history and contributions of freedom fighters.
"Let him not make irresponsible comments about freedom fighters. Is this how you treat them?" Justice Datta remarked.
The bench, however, indicated it might stay the proceedings on the condition that Gandhi refrains from making similar statements in the future.
"We must be clear—any further statements and we will take suo motu action. There will be no question of any sanction. We will not allow anyone to speak ill of the freedom fighters who gave us our freedom," Justice Datta added.
As a result, the bench stayed the criminal defamation proceedings against Gandhi in a Lucknow court over his comments about Savarkar. Gandhi had approached the Supreme Court, challenging an April 4 order by the Allahabad High Court, which had refused to quash the summons issued to him by a Magistrate court in connection with his remarks about Savarkar.
The summons was issued in December 2024, following a press conference where Gandhi allegedly referred to Savarkar as a British servant who took a pension from the British. The Allahabad High Court had remarked that Gandhi could instead move the Sessions Judge under Section 397 of the CrPC (which allows for a review of lower court records), rather than approaching the High Court.
Advocate Nripendra Pandey had filed a complaint, alleging that Gandhi's statements were made with the intent to incite hatred in society, accusing Savarkar of being a British collaborator.
(With agency inputs)
