Conviction in defamation case: Rahul invokes Mahatma Gandhi, Congress and others react
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Rahul Gandhi was convicted by the Surat District Court on Thursday in the 2019 defamation case for his ‘Modi surname’ remark. He was later granted bail by the court.
The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Varma sentenced him to two years in jail and also imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 after finding him guilty under Sections 499 (Defamation), 500 (punishment for Defamation) IPC
Gandhi was present before the court when the verdict was being pronounced. His comments that how ‘all the thieves have Modi as the common surname’, came during a political campaign in Karnataka's Kolar district ahead of the 2019 national election stirring up controversy.
BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed a complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks stating that it has defamed all people with the ‘Modi’ surname.
Shortly after the sentencing, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and quoted Mahatma Gandhi: "My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get it- Mahatma Gandhi."
Following the court verdict, speculations arose about whether Rahul Gandhi may be disqualified from the Lok Sabha.
BJP said that Speaker Om Birla will decide on the matter. However, Congress maintained that since the Surat court has given Rahul 30 days to appeal to a higher court, the Wayanad MP cannot be disqualified from the House.
BJP welcomed the verdict while Opposition leaders, including Delhi and Jharkhand chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren, also protested against the order.
Hours after Rahul Gandhi was convicted by the court, Kejriwal tweeted in the Congress leader's support. The AAP chief alleged a 'conspiracy to eliminate' non-BJP leaders and parties by prosecuting them.
"We have differences with the Congress, but it is not right to implicate Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case like this. It is the job of the public and the opposition to ask questions," he tweeted in Hindi. Kejriwal further said that he respects the court but won't agree with this decision.
BJP criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for questioning the verdict. Kharge had said that the party will fight the judgement as per law.
"He has been granted bail. We knew from the beginning because they kept changing judges. We believe in law, judiciary and we will fight against this as per law," he said, adding that the "cowardly, dictatorial BJP government was stung by Rahul's words as he is exposing their dark deeds".
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said that her brother Rahul Gandhi lived speaking the truth and would continue to speak the truth.
"The entire scared machinery of power is trying to suppress the voice of Rahul Gandhi through 'saam, daam, dand, bhed'. My brother has never been afraid, nor will he ever be. He has lived speaking the truth, will continue to speak the truth," tweeted Priyanka Gandhi in Hindi.
Congress MP of Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh in a tweet said that Rahul Gandhi was being punished for speaking the truth and raising his voice against the dictator.
"This is new India. If you raise your voice against injustice, then ED-CBI, Police, and FIR will be imposed on everyone. Rahul Gandhi is also getting punished for speaking the truth and raising his voice against the dictator", tweeted Ramesh.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that while BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi over his conviction, the same rule applies to BJP leaders because the law will catch up with "motormouths" sooner than later.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also wrote that “Rahul Gandhi is a soldier of truth and non-violence. They are not going to bow down in front of untruth under the pressure of the government system. Rahul ji and the Congress party will continue to fight strongly against the fascist forces”.
