A Pune court has summoned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's grandnephew, Satyaki Savarkar. The case revolves around remarks that Gandhi allegedly made about the Hindutva ideology during a gathering in London in March 2023. This incident has sparked significant legal proceedings as the court has asked Gandhi to appear on October 23.
The complaint asserts that during his speech at the Overseas Congress event in the United Kingdom, Rahul Gandhi made derogatory comments about Vinayak Savarkar. Satyaki Savarkar claims that Gandhi has a history of defaming his family members.
He believes that the remarks made by Gandhi were not only untrue but also intended to harm Savarkar's reputation and the legacy associated with the Savarkar name.
In his complaint, Satyaki Savarkar stated that Gandhi’s comments were intentionally crafted to defame Savarkar, knowing full well that they were false. He emphasised that these allegations were malicious and aimed at damaging Savarkar’s legacy while causing emotional distress to him and his family.
This legal action is not an isolated incident for Rahul Gandhi. He has faced similar challenges before. Recently, a court in Nashik summoned him in a separate defamation case linked to comments he made about Savarkar.
In that instance, the complainant, who heads a non-governmental organisation, accused Gandhi of tarnishing Savarkar’s reputation during a press conference and a speech in Hingoli in November 2022.
According to the Nashik case, Gandhi's comments during these events were damaging to Savarkar's image in society, suggesting a pattern of remarks that could be construed as defamation. The complainant asserted that Gandhi knowingly made statements that would harm Savarkar's reputation.
The ongoing legal battles highlight the contentious relationship between Rahul Gandhi and the legacy of Vinayak Savarkar, a figure revered by many in the Hindutva ideology and viewed critically by others.
The reactions to Gandhi's comments have ignited passionate responses from different political factions, as Savarkar remains a polarising figure in Indian politics.
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