Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, July 11, pleaded not guilty in a defamation case related to his remarks about Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The plea was entered on his behalf by his lawyer, Advocate Milind Pawar, in a Pune court, as Gandhi was not personally present during the proceedings.
The case was heard before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) and Special Judge (MP/MLA Court), Amol Sriram Shinde. The judge formally read out the charge, and a not-guilty plea was recorded through Gandhi’s counsel.
The defamation complaint was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of VD Savarkar, who took exception to Gandhi’s controversial comments made during a speech in London. Referring to an incident involving Savarkar, Gandhi had reportedly said, “They (Savarkar and his friends) beat up a Muslim and felt happy… Fifteen people with Savarkarji are beating one person. This is also in their ideology.”
The remarks sparked widespread criticism, with several political and social groups accusing Gandhi of defaming a revered figure in India’s freedom struggle. The Supreme Court had earlier expressed concern over such statements made by public representatives, cautioning Gandhi and urging restraint.
Speaking after the hearing, Advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, who represents the complainant, confirmed that the process of recording the accused’s plea has concluded. The court has now scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July 24, as the trial is set to move forward.
This case adds to the growing list of legal challenges facing the Congress leader amid a politically charged atmosphere leading up to crucial state and national elections.
