The Supreme Court on Friday reprimanded Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra in November 2022. The Congress leader had approached the apex court seeking to quash the summons issued by a trial court pertaining to the controversy. Gandhi had earlier filed a petition at the Allahabad High Court seeking relief on legal grounds.
While staying the session court’s order, the top court maintained his comments as “irresponsible”. A bench including Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan asserted that he must refrain from making “derogatory” comments against freedom fighters. The bench further mentioned that Savarkar is worshipped in Maharashtra and Gandhi should not make comments about those who are revered in certain parts of the country.
During the Yatra, the Congress leader had allegedly remarked that Savarkar was a “servant of the British” who also received pension during the time.
The bench said that, “We will not allow anyone to make statements against our freedom fighters. Next someone will say Mahatma Gandhi was a servant to the British.” The court also asked Gandhi’s advocate whether his client knew that even Mahatma Gandhi also signed as 'your faithful servant' while addressing the viceroy. They also mentioned that Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother Indira Gandhi had also praised the very man he was criticising.
Rahul Gandhi was not present at the hearing as he is on a visit to Anantnag meeting the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
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