Supreme Court Challenges Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on Savarkar

On Friday, the Supreme Court of India criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling Vinayak Damodar Savarkar a “servant” of the British during a rally last year in Akola, Maharashtra, part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The court said Gandhi, as a political leader, should be careful and responsible with what he says about freedom fighters.

The court stayed a Lucknow court’s order that summoned Gandhi for a defamation case. Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan told Gandhi’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, that making such statements without knowing the history was not right. They also reminded them that Gandhi’s grandmother praised Savarkar when she was Prime Minister and mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi referred to Savarkar as “your faithful servant” in a letter.

The court accepted the petition filed by Gandhi challenging a previous decision from the Allahabad High Court that refused to stop the trial against him. The original complaint was made by lawyer Nripendra Pandey, who felt Gandhi’s remarks hurt the feelings of people who admire Savarkar. Although a lower court initially dismissed the complaint, it was revived later, leading to the summons.

The Supreme Court has warned that it will take action if Gandhi makes any more such comments about freedom fighters.