Rahul Gandhi on Thursday preferred to face trial as an accused in a defamation case for his remark against the RSS on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, telling the Supreme Court he stood by every word of his statement made during a poll rally in 2014.
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On August 24, the Supreme Court was told that Rahul Gandhi had not blamed the RSS as an institution for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, but the people associated with it. Following Kunte’s complaint, the magistrate in Bhiwandi had initiated proceedings and issued summons to Rahul, directing him to appear before it.
However, the submission was opposed by Sibal who said the statement made by the opposite side was like a political speech and can not be accepted by the apex court.
“I stand by every word of what I said”. The court said this after reading from a December 15, 2014 affidavit submitted by Mr. Gandhi in the High Court in the same case. Sibal said that the Sangh would now have to clarify if Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s killer, can be called a Hindu.
Surjewala said Rahul will fight the ideology that divides the society in the Bhiwandi court and also in “Janata ki adalat” (people’s court) as it is against all those who are trying to distort the history (history ko bhatkaana chahte hain). It was also clearly suggested that the assassins were associated or affiliated with RSS. One hopes that his readiness to face trial now is not a political gimmick and does not backfire (“Ready to stand trial for RSS remark: Rahul”, Sept.2). The BJP and RSS took the opportunity to take another dig at Mr Gandhi’s change of stand, saying, “Mr Gandhi’s actions reflect a state of confusion”. Senior advocate UR Lalit, appearing for the complainant, pointed out that whenever there was an election, the Congress made an attempt to blame RSS for killing the Father of the Nation.
At this Justice Nariman asked: “What is the problem if the page (of the Rahul Gandhi’s affidavit before the High Court) exists as it is?”
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Ridiculing the Make in India campaign, the Congress leader said, “The Babbar Sher (mascot of Make in India campaign) does not squeak even like a mouse”. The target was RSS. Let him prove his bona fide”, Lalit said, adding, “We (RSS) are maligned whenever an election is around the corner. “He is busy with vote-bank politics to appease the Muslims”, Sharma said.
