Savarkar Case: Rahul Gandhi’s Historical Claims Face Objection

Satyaki Ashok Savarkar, who is related to the Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, has opposed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to alter the scope of the defamation trial. Gandhi reportedly sought to shift the case from a summary trial to a summons trial, claiming that he needed to provide detailed evidence, fact, and rationale in defencing himself. Bar and Bench has this report.

The case originates from a speech, which Gandhi delivered in London in March 2023, where he purportedly made some defamatory comments against VIam Savarkar’s contributions to India. In the lawsuit, it is claimed that Gandhi referred to an event from Savarkar’s life where, without any reason, it has been claimed that Savarkar seethed with an enjoyment while thrashing a Muslim man. This claim, which Satyaki Savarkar makes is totally wrong and completely unsupported from any savarkar literature.

Subsequently, he lodged a defamation case and made allegations against Gandhi that he has been making ‘fictitious, false and malicious’ remarks against his grandfather that are devoid of truth.

Savarkar’s opposition to Rahulk Gandhi’s plea is noted in the new contending evidence he seeks to submit. Recently, Gandhi has been reporting a shift in plea asking to change the trial from a summary trial to a summons trial wherein one is allowed to call upon evidence. The legal team claims this would simplify much in proving factual history.

Savarkar, with assistance from his lawyer SA Kolhatkar, has submitted an affidavit to contest the modification of the trial format which Gandhi requested. In this response, he claims the Congress figure seeks to obfuscate the matter before court by bringing in historical controversies that have no bearing on the case at hand.

“The accused is making an attempt to divert attention by mentioning some of the Anglo Savarkar’s’ exploits in the freedom struggle which do not pertain to these defamation proceedings at all,” the affidavit mentions.

Savarkar’s lawyer maintained that the hearing should take place as it was originally meant to, which was the procedure set forth by the court, and the court has complete authority over its own procedural matters. “The remedy sought by the defendant, that is, the wide ranging motion is inexplicably unreasonable,” the response adds, summarily dismissing Gandhi’s justification for requiring more intricate procedural hearings.

Rahul Gandhi’s defamation cases

Gandhi is well known for his defaming speeches, and so, Savarkar's legal team has used his March 2023 conviction by a Surat court for making derogatory remarks aimed at scapegoating him, alongside his infamous rally where he claimed the Modi ruled India is ruled towards tyranny. Gandhi was provided with a 2 year jail term as punishment, which led him to losing his seat as a Lok Sabha MP. Unlike other politicians, however, he had his conviction stayed by the supreme court and handed back his membership into Parliament.

As Gandhi’s signature started appearing on unverified bank documents and began purchasing luxury cars his opponents started calling him a habitual defamer, claims his plea the trial proceeded with the court schedule. 

Gandhi’s defiance on issues like this have always landed him in trouble. While he defended his actions in Parliament by saying, “My name is not Savarkar, it is Gandhi, and a Gandhi never apologizes,” he was given a disqualification for Lok Sabha. 

Pune court has scheduled a hearing on the summary trial case multiple times before summoning Gandhi for March 19. On that date he will be asked whether he still wants to switch his plea to an amended summons case.