Rahul Gandhi News / 'A true Indian would not say this', Supreme Court reprimanded Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi News: Prominent Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in a defamation case related to alleged remarks against the Indian Army. The Supreme Court has stayed the summons issued by the lower court in Lucknow and issued a notice in the case seeking a reply. The case relates to a statement made by Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022, in which he commented on the border dispute between the Indian Army and China.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Rahul Gandhi had said during a press conference in Rajasthan, "Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh." He further said, "People will ask questions on issues like Bharat Jodo Yatra, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, but will not ask any questions about China occupying 2000 square kilometers of Indian land, killing 20 Indian soldiers and beating up our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian press does not raise a single question about this." Based on this statement, a defamation case was filed against him in Uttar Pradesh, and the MP-MLA court of Lucknow issued summons to him.

Supreme Court's comment and action

During the hearing in the Supreme Court, Justice Dutta questioned Rahul Gandhi's statement. The court asked, "Why did you not say this in Parliament and why did you say it on social media? If you are a true Indian, you should not say this." The court also asked, "How do you know that China occupied 2000 square kilometers of land? What is reliable information? When there is a border dispute, can you say such things? Why don't you raise questions in Parliament?"

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, argued that if he cannot raise such issues as the leader of the opposition, what would be the result? He also said that Rahul Gandhi did not intend to defame anyone. The Supreme Court issued a notice in the matter and stayed the summons of the Lucknow court and sought a reply within three weeks.

Allahabad High Court's decision

Earlier, in May 2023, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's petition, in which he had challenged the summons order of the MP-MLA court of Lucknow. After this Rahul Gandhi had approached the Supreme Court.

Freedom of expression and responsibility

The Supreme Court also discussed the right to freedom of expression during the hearing. The court said that even though Rahul Gandhi has freedom of expression, as a responsible leader he should refrain from making such statements. Justice Dutta remarked, "No true Indian would say this." The court also noted that Singhvi had made a different argument in the High Court, to which Singhvi replied that the job of the opposition is to raise questions, not to defame.