Congress rips into Gujarat High Court’s verdict on Rahul Gandhi’s case
The Congress party has voiced disappointment over the judgement by a single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court which dismissed an application from Rahul Gandhi seeking a stay on his conviction in the Modi surname case, while adding that it was not unexpected.
Speaking to the press after the judgement on the Modi surname defamation case, Congress spokesperson and MP, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and the General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, expressed their concerns over the unique jurisprudence being employed by the court in such defamation law cases.
The party reassured that this ruling will not hinder Rahul Gandhi from continuing his fight. Dr. Singhvi depicted this as a cycle of oppression and suppression, stating that the government feels threatened by Gandhi’s voice, which is filled with facts and figures on contentious issues such as demonetization and the country’s struggling economic situation.
Dr. Singhvi also brought to attention the government’s attempts to silence Gandhi through various measures such as the removal of SPG security and the disqualification from Parliament. He accused the ruling party of systematically undermining democratic institutions, leading to the suppression of democracy itself.
Concerns were also raised about the potential impact this case will have on the freedom of speech and its potential consequences. Dr. Singhvi warned that this could extend beyond Gandhi’s case, having far-reaching implications for the general public.
Congress expresses disappointment over Rahul Gandhi’s unsuccessful stay application in Gujarat High Court. Photo courtesy of All India Congress Committee.
The Congress MP questioned the nature of the defamation case against Gandhi, asking how the complainants were personally defamed. He expressed doubt over the presence of malice, an essential element of defamation law. Additionally, he brought to light the fact that the judgement was reserved for 66 days, an unusually long duration.
Dr. Singhvi expressed surprise over the court’s focus on other cases involving Gandhi, highlighting that the complainants in all those cases were BJP leaders, workers, or supporters. He questioned why the courts failed to take into account that all accusations seem to be coming from a single source, without any examination of the motives or bonafides of that source.
Finally, the senior Congress leader suggested a pattern of suppression by the BJP and its affiliates, who are allegedly attempting to throttle the opposition and anyone critical of the government. He queried whether the courts should consider this aspect as well.
In conclusion, the Congress party reiterated its commitment to the legal fight and expressed its belief in the court of the ‘janta’ or people. Dr. Singhvi implied that the public is aware of the alleged vendetta against Rahul Gandhi, assuring that Gandhi will continue to fight against such systematic suppression.