On March 25, 2023, a defamation complaint was filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a Haridwar court over his statement that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is the “21st century Kauravas.” The complaint was filed by one Kamal Bhadoria in the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Haridwar.
CONTENTS:
- Background
- The Controversial Statement
- Defamation Complaint Filed
- Legal Provisions on Defamation
- Conclusion
Background:
The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is a right-wing, Hindu nationalist organization in India that has been accused of promoting communalism and Hindutva ideology. Rahul Gandhi is a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, one of the main opposition parties in India. He has been critical of the RSS and its policies.
The Controversial Statement:
During his Bharat Jodo Yatra , Rahul Gandhi had said, “The RSS is the 21st century Kauravas. They want to divide India.” These days Kauravas wear khaadi half-pants and carry stick in their hands.
Defamation Complaint Filed:
In March 2023, Kamal Bhadoria filed a defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi in a Haridwar court, alleging that the Congress leader had insulted the RSS and its members by comparing them to the Kauravas. Kamal claimed that the statement was defamatory and had caused harm to the reputation of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and its members.
The matter will be heard on April/12/2023
Legal Provisions on Defamation:
Defamation is a civil wrong under the law of torts in India. It can be defined as the publication of a false statement that harms the reputation of a person or entity.
In this case, the defamation complaint has been filed under Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 499 defines defamation as the act of making a false statement that harms the reputation of a person. Section 500 prescribes punishment for defamation, which can include imprisonment for up to two years or a fine, or both.
Conclusion:
The defamation complaint filed against Rahul Gandhi over his statement on the RSS is likely to result in a legal battle. Defamation is a serious offense under Indian law, and it is essential to be careful while making statements that can harm the reputation of an individual or entity. Rahul Gandhi will need to defend himself against the allegations of defamation in court.
On Friday, a Patna court has directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on April 12 in a 2019 defamation case filed against him by Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Sushil Kumar Modi for his “all thieves have Modi surname” remark.
