Rahul Gandhi, a Congressman from Gujarat’s Surat, was found guilty on Thursday in a criminal defamation action stemming from his claimed “Modi surname” statement from 2019.
According to Gandhi’s attorney, Babu Mangukiya, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Varma, which found Gandhi guilty under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Criminal Code, also gave him bail and stayed the punishment for 30 days to enable him to appeal in a higher court.
A person who receives a sentence of two years or more in jail is prohibited from running for office “from the date of such conviction” and is also prohibited for a further six years after completing their term, according to the Representation of the People Act.
Gandhi was in the courtroom when the decision was made. In response to a complaint made by BJP Legislator and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi, a case was brought against Gandhi for his claimed “how come all the robbers have Modi as the common surname?” statements.
Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Wayanad, Kerala, Member for the Lok Sabha allegedly made the comments while speaking at a rally in Kolar, Karnataka.
Congress’s vigorous response
The former party leader will appeal the Gujarat court’s decision finding him guilty in a 2019 criminal case, the Congress said on Thursday.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the general secretary of the Congress, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge both expressed their outrage on the topic.
Priyanka Gandhi tweeted in Hindi, “A terrified machinery of power is attempting to stifle the voice of Rahul Gandhi through’saam, daam, dand, bhed’ (every trick in the book).” “My sibling has never experienced fear and never will. He has spoken the truth his whole life and will do so in the future. Will continue to speak out for the nation’s citizens, she added.
Kharge criticised the BJP and said that an appeal will be filed in the case. He said on Twitter that if someone points one finger at someone else, four fingers are also pointing at them.
“Everyone knows, Rahul Gandhi ji is raising his voice against a tyrant,” the Congress said in a tweet in Hindi. displaying the fortitude to call a mistake a mistake. This bravery frightens the ruler. He is attempting to frighten people via the ED, the police, cases, and penalties, the party said.
Congress national secretary Jairam Ramesh responded to the situation by saying, “This is new India. If you raise your voice against injustice, then ED-CBI, police, and FIR will be enforced.
Ramesh said that Rahul Gandhi was also being penalised for speaking the truth and speaking out against a tyrant.
Gandhi receives backing from AAP.
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister, said that a plot was being developed to “destroy” non-BJP politicians and parties by bringing legal action against them, which prompted the Aam Aadmi Party to come out in favour of Rahul Gandhi on Thursday.
“A plan is being developed to prosecute and depose non-BJP politicians and parties. Notwithstanding our disagreements with Congress, it is improper to hold Rahul Gandhi accountable in a slander case of this kind.
The opposition and the general public have a responsibility to raise inquiries. While we respect the court, we disagree with the ruling, Kejriwal said in a Hindi tweet.
Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha member for the AAP, said that dissent should not be suppressed and that opposition is at the heart of democracy.
Respectfully disagree with the jury’s decision in Rahul Gandhi’s favour. Democratic government is based on opposition. Dissension shouldn’t be suppressed. Critique is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. It would be unlawful and undemocratic to try to limit this to the standpoint of one ideology, one party, or one leader, the president tweeted.
Tweets from Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi tweeted the Mahatma Gandhi phrase, “Mera dharma satya aur ahimsa par adhaarit hai,” upon his conviction. My religion is founded on the truth and against violence, as stated in Satya mera bhagwan hai. Truth is my god, and the way I can get to him is via nonviolence.
