Supreme Court Pulls Up Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remark, Stays HC Order

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has reprimanded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The court issued a notice and stayed the Allahabad High Court's order that had declined to quash the summons issued to Gandhi in a defamation case related to his comments.​

The defamation case stems from statements made by Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022, where he allegedly claimed that Savarkar had written about an incident involving the assault of a Muslim man. This led to a complaint filed by Savarkar's grandnephew, Satyaki Savarkar, accusing Gandhi of defamation.​

The Supreme Court's bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra, expressed concern over the nature of the remarks and their potential to promote communal disharmony. Justice Gavai emphasized the need for responsible statements from public figures, stating, "Let’s not mock our freedom fighters."

In response to the court's order, Gandhi's counsel offered an apology for the remarks. The court, while granting a stay on the High Court's order, warned that any further irresponsible statements could compel the court to take suo motu action.

This development adds to the ongoing legal challenges faced by Rahul Gandhi, who has previously been involved in defamation cases, including the "Modi surname" case, where he was disqualified as a Member of Parliament following a conviction. However, the Supreme Court later stayed his conviction, allowing him to contest elections.​

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for political discourse and the limits of free speech in India, especially concerning remarks about historical figures and national icons.​

For more detailed coverage, you can refer to the original articles:

New Delhi, 25 April 2025:
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday granted a stay on the summons issued to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Lucknow court in connection with his controversial remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the renowned freedom fighter.

The remarks, made by Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022, led to a defamation case filed by Savarkar's grandnephew, Satyaki Savarkar. Gandhi allegedly commented on Savarkar's involvement in a controversial historical incident, which was viewed as defamatory by the complainant.

This latest legal development comes after the Allahabad High Court had previously declined to quash the summons against Gandhi, prompting the Congress leader to seek the Supreme Court's intervention.

While granting the stay, the Supreme Court cautioned public figures to be mindful of the nature of their remarks, particularly those relating to historical figures and national icons. Gandhi’s counsel has expressed regret for the comments, and the court has warned of further legal action if irresponsible statements continue.

This case continues to be a significant point of contention in India's political discourse, raising questions about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of leaders when addressing sensitive historical figures.