Rahul Gandhi, a well-known face of the Congress party has expressed that he might face ‘life threat’ or ‘wrongful implication’ due to his recent political actions and the backdrop of a complainant in a defamation case filed against him.
As per the application stated by LiveLaw, Rahul Gandhi said, “In light of the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant’s lineage, and considering the prevailing political climate, there exists a clear, reasonable, and substantial apprehension that Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting by persons subscribing to the ideology of Vinayak Savarkar.”
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Concerns over Complainant’s Lineage
Gandhi mentioned that the complainant, Satyaki Sarvarkar claimed to be a descendant of Mahatama Gandhi’s assassins. It read, “In view of the grave history associated with such lineage, the Defense harbours a genuine and reasonable apprehension that history must not be permitted to repeat itself. It is also necessary to note that the ideology of Hindutva, followed by the complainant’s ideological forebears, has in several instances assumed political power through unconstitutional means.”
The application further added that the supporters of these ideas have spread hate on the basis of caste and religion, left a negative influence on the elections, aNd engaged in unconstitutional activities.
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Rahul Gandhi asserted that his status as a politician makes him a target. The plea stated, “Gandhi, in his constitutional capacity as Leader of the Opposition, is standing against such policies and raising his voice for the poor and marginalized. it cannot be ruled out that caste-based extremists, politically motivated industrialists, Hindutva supporters, and those willing to subvert constitutional governance may harbour animosity towards the Accused.”
Gandhi urged the court to be mindful of ‘influences, forces and extraordinary circumstances’.
Background of the Defamation Case
After Rahul Gandhi made a speech in London in March 2023, where he referred to an incident mentioned in Sarvarkar’s writing and claimed that Sarvarkar was involved in the assault of a Muslim man, the legal dispute officially began.
Satyaki Sarvarkar argued that no such writing is present in Sarvarkar’s works and that Gandhi’s false remarks were defamatory. The matter was then taken to the court.
