SC stays summons against Rahul over his remarks on Savarkar

The Apex Court issued a stern warning to the Leader of Opposition, cautioning him against making any further derogatory statements about national icons. Read further on Dynamite News

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the trial court’s order issuing summons to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his controversial remarks against freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

However, the Apex Court issued a stern warning to the Leader of Opposition, cautioning him against making any further derogatory statements about national icons.

Two Judge Bench

A bench comprising justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan observed that Rahul's comments labeling Savarkar as a "British collaborator who received pension from the British" were irresponsible.

The court reminded the Congress leader that Savarkar is revered in Maharashtra and emphasized that such remarks could attract serious consequences in the future.

SC Verdict

"You have a good point on law and you will get a stay. But any further statement by him will be taken up suo motu. No words on our freedom fighters... They gave us freedom and we treat them like this?" the bench remarked while issuing notice and granting an interim stay on the impugned summons.

The court further warned that it would initiate suo motu proceedings if Rahul makes similar remarks in the future.

Highlighting the historical reverence for Savarkar, the bench pointed out that even Gandhi’s grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi had praised Savarkar in her correspondence.

“Does he know that even Mahatma Gandhi used the words 'your faithful servant'? the bench asked.

Does he know his grandmother also sent a letter to the freedom fighter praising him?” the bench asked while addressing senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul.

The court concluded by stating that public figures must exercise caution and responsibility while speaking about freedom fighters, urging awareness of both history and legacy.

Profile Of Savarkar

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on 28 May, 1883 in Bhagur, Nashik and passed away on 26 February, 1966. Savarkar was a nationalist and leading figure in the Hindu Mahasabha (“Great Society of Hindus”), a Hindu nationalist organization and political party.

While a student of law in London (1906–10), Savarkar helped to instruct a group of Indian revolutionaries in methods of sabotage and assassination that associates of his had apparently learned from expatriate Russian revolutionaries in Paris. During this period he wrote The Indian War of Independence, 1857 (1909), in which he took the view that the Indian Mutiny of 1857 was the first expression of Indian mass rebellion against British colonial rule.

In March 1910 Savarkar was arrested on various charges relating to subversion and incitement to war and was sent to India for trial and was convicted. In a second trial he was convicted of complicity in the assassination of a British district magistrate in India, and, after sentencing, he was transported to the Andaman Islands for detention “for life.” He was brought back to India in 1921 and released in 1924.