Supreme Court Slams Rahul Gandhi for “Irresponsible” Remarks on Savarkar, Warns Against Disrespecting Freedom Fighters

The Supreme Court issued a strong warning to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday regarding his past comments about freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, while staying a trial court summons related to the matter.

A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan made it clear that Gandhi must refrain from making any further derogatory statements against freedom fighters, particularly those revered in certain parts of the country. The court emphasized that Savarkar is deeply respected in Maharashtra and warned of serious consequences if such remarks continue.

“We will not allow anyone to make disrespectful statements about our freedom fighters. If this continues, someone might even call Mahatma Gandhi a ‘servant of the British,'” the court observed during the hearing.

Court Questions Gandhi’s Historical Perspective

The judges raised doubts about whether Gandhi fully understood historical contexts, noting that even Mahatma Gandhi had used formal phrases like “your faithful servant” in correspondence with British officials. They also pointed out that Jawaharlal Nehru, Rahul Gandhi’s grandfather and India’s first Prime Minister, had once written a letter praising Savarkar.

The court strongly criticized Gandhi’s earlier remarks, calling them “irresponsible” and adding, “These leaders fought for our freedom, and this is how you speak about them?”

Legal Reprieve Granted With Strict Conditions

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, representing Rahul Gandhi, successfully argued for a stay on the trial court’s summons based on legal grounds. However, the bench issued a firm warning against any future inappropriate comments.

“You’ve made a valid legal argument, so we are granting the stay. But let’s avoid making irresponsible statements about freedom fighters,” the court told Singhvi. It further cautioned that similar remarks in the future could lead to suo motu action by the court.

Gandhi Focused on Jammu & Kashmir Visit

Rahul Gandhi was not present in court during the hearing as he was in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, meeting with victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly civilians.

His schedule also included meetings with local business owners affected by the sudden departure of tourists following the attack. The Resistance Front, a proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security forces have identified five militants involved and launched an extensive search operation.

Key Points:

• The Supreme Court strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about Savarkar as “irresponsible”
• Warned against disrespecting freedom fighters while staying a trial court summons
• Highlighted historical context about how even Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru interacted with British authorities
• Gandhi was visiting terror attack victims in Jammu & Kashmir during the hearing
• Court cautioned that future derogatory remarks could lead to legal action