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Ranchi, April 25: The Supreme Court on Friday sharply criticised Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his past remarks on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, even as it stayed ongoing criminal defamation proceedings against him in a Lucknow court.
While granting relief, the Court issued a stern oral warning, cautioning Gandhi that any similar remarks in future could attract suo motu action—without requiring a formal complaint.
“You Don’t Know the History of India”
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan presided over the matter. Justice Datta took exception to Gandhi’s description of Savarkar as a “servant of the British,” drawing a sharp comparison with Mahatma Gandhi’s own correspondence during the colonial era.
“Does your client know that Mahatma Gandhi also addressed the Viceroy as ‘your faithful servant’? Does he know his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, as Prime Minister, praised Savarkar in an official letter?” Justice Datta asked senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, who represented Gandhi in court.
He continued, “He is a person of stature… Why foment such trouble? Why make such statements, especially in places like Akola, Maharashtra, where Savarkar is revered?”
Court Questions Intent, Urges Responsibility
Justice Datta also referenced historical protocol under British rule, noting that even judges used to address higher officials as “Your Servant.” He expressed concern that Gandhi’s remarks could mislead the public and trivialise the legacy of national figures.
“Next, someone will say Mahatma Gandhi was a servant of the British. This is not how we treat our freedom fighters—people who gave us our independence,” he said.
While the Court was inclined to stay the defamation case, it made clear that the relief came with an expectation: no further “irresponsible” comments. “Any further statement, and we will act on our own motion—no question of requiring sanction,” Justice Datta warned.
Singhvi assured the bench that Gandhi would refrain from making such statements in future. Notably, this condition was not recorded in the Court’s formal order.
Background of the Case
Rahul Gandhi had moved the Supreme Court after the Allahabad High Court refused to grant him relief on April 4. The defamation case stems from a press conference where Gandhi allegedly claimed that Savarkar was a “servant of the British” and accepted a pension from them.
The complaint, filed by Advocate Nripendra Pandey, accused Gandhi of spreading societal hatred and attempting to insult the foundational values of the nation. A Lucknow court had earlier summoned Gandhi in December 2023 based on these allegations.
The High Court had directed Gandhi to seek appropriate remedy before the Sessions Court under Section 397 CrPC.
