‘If you were true Indian…’: SC slams Rahul Gandhi for China comment, but stays trial court summons

TNR News Network
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks suggesting that China had occupied 2,000 sq km of Indian territory, asking whether such comments were befitting of a “true Indian”.

“If you are a true Indian, you wouldn’t say such a thing,” a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih observed, taking note of Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statements made during his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in December 2022.

The top court made the remark while hearing Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking to quash proceedings initiated against him by a Lucknow court, based on a criminal complaint that accused him of making derogatory remarks about the Indian Army. Despite the stinging words, the Supreme Court granted Rahul Gandhi relief by staying the trial court’s summons.

Reminds him of duties as Leader of Opposition

“You are the Leader of the Opposition. You have the floor of Parliament, then why resort to social media for such statements?” the Bench asked pointedly, underlining the responsibility that comes with occupying a constitutional position.

The remarks in question were part of Rahul Gandhi’s broader critique of the government’s handling of the ongoing India-China border standoff. However, complainant Udai Shanker Srivastava, who filed the case in Lucknow, alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s words amounted to an insult to the armed forces and sought criminal action under various provisions of the IPC.

Got no relief from Allahabad High Court

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s challenge to the summons on May 29, stating that the matter required trial court scrutiny. Rahul Gandhi had approached the apex court arguing that the complaint was politically motivated and filed in bad faith.

The Supreme Court has now issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government and the complainant, asking for their responses. While the Supreme Court’s stay offers temporary respite to Rahul Gandhi, the pointed remarks from the Bench may add political pressure on the Congress leader, especially amid growing scrutiny of his public commentary as the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.