Supreme Court Criticizes Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remarks, Yet Halts Lower Court Summons

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the summons issued to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Bareilly court over his remarks concerning Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, but not without expressing strong criticism of his statements.

A Bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta heard Gandhi’s petition challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against him. The Bench voiced concern over the tone and content of Gandhi’s comments, observing that public figures should avoid making such controversial remarks.

Does your client know that even Mahatma Gandhi used the phrase ‘your faithful servant’? Is he aware that his own grandmother wrote a respectful letter praising the freedom fighter? Let him not make sweeping remarks without understanding the history and legacy of our freedom fighters. Even I have seen Chief Justices of High Courts use such expressions. By that logic, would you call Mahatma Gandhi a servant of the British? No disparaging remarks about our freedom fighters. They gave us our independence. Is this how we choose to treat them? The Court said, while addressing Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi who appeared on behalf of Gandhi.

Justice Gavai, while staying the summons, remarked, “You cannot use such language against anyone. You are a leader. People listen to you. If you say such things about someone who is not alive, they cannot defend themselves.”

The Court clarified that although it does not endorse the statements made by Gandhi, it was inclined to stay the proceedings to protect the fundamental right to free speech and prevent unnecessary criminal trials based on political statements. The justices reiterated that public discourse should remain respectful and responsible, especially when discussing historical personalities.

This temporary relief means the case will not proceed in the lower court until the Supreme Court delivers a final decision on the matter.