Rahul Gandhi summoned by Pune court over remarks on Savarkar

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Pune, April 26: A Pune court has issued a summons to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, directing him to appear on May 9 in connection with a defamation case linked to his comments about freedom fighter VD Savarkar.

The case stems from a remark Gandhi made during an event in London, where he accused Savarkar and his associates of assaulting a Muslim man and celebrating the act, describing it as an example of “cowardice.”

“They (Savarkar and his friends) beat up a Muslim and felt happy. If five people beat up one person and someone is getting happy, then this is cowardice. Fifteen people with Savarkarji are beating one person. This is also in their ideology,” Rahul Gandhi had said.

The complaint was filed by a descendant of VD Savarkar, who objected to Gandhi’s characterization of the freedom fighter.

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Supreme Court rebuked Rahul Gandhi over Savarkar remarks

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, hearing a separate but related matter, cautioned Rahul Gandhi on Friday against making controversial statements about freedom fighters in the future, warning that any further remarks could lead to serious consequences.

The Supreme Court sharply criticised Rahul Gandhi for his past remarks 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.

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.

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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?”

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.