The Supreme Court on April 25 orally expressed disapproval of the comments made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi against VD Savarkar.
Though the Court stayed the criminal defamation proceedings pending against Rahul Gandhi in a Lucknow Court over his comments against Savarkar, it orally warned that if he makes any such comments in the future, “suo motu proceedings” will be taken against him.
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Manmohan heard the matter. As soon as the matter was taken, Justice Datta took objection to Rahul Gandhi’s statements. Justice Datta asked if Mahatma Gandhi could be called the servant of the Britishers merely because he used the term “your faithful servant” in his letters to the Viceroy.
“Does your client know Mahatma Gandhi also used “your faithful servant” while addressing the Viceroy? Does your client know that his grandmother, when she was the Prime Minister, also sent a letter praising the gentleman(Savarkar). You don’t treat freedom fighters like this when you know the history. Why do you comment like this?,” Justice Datta asked Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, who was representing Gandhi.
“Let him not make irresponsible statements about the freedom fighters. Is this the way you treat freedom fighters?,” Justice Datta asked.
“He is a political leader of a political party? You go to Maharashtra and make a statement, he is worshipped there. Don’t do this,” Justice Datta said.
