Modi Surname case: Rahul Gandhi had earlier challenged his conviction earlier than a court docket in Surat (File)
New Delhi:
Quickly after the Supreme Courtroom stayed the conviction of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in a legal defamation case over his “Modi surname” feedback at an election rally in 2019, the Congress scion mentioned his obligation stays the identical – defending the concept of India.
“Come what could, my obligation stays the identical. Shield the concept of India,” Mr Gandhi tweeted – his first response after the highest court docket overturned a decrease court docket order, which led to his disqualification as an MP.
Come what could, my obligation stays the identical.
Shield the concept of India.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 4, 2023
Addressing a press convention with get together chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi mentioned, “My path is obvious. I’ve readability about what I must do. I’m grateful for all of the assist.”
Democracy has received, Mr Kharge mentioned, including, “He fought for fact… and walked over 4,000 km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and met folks from all walks of life. Their blessings obtained us this aid.”
Taking a swipe on the ruling BJP, Mr Kharge mentioned, “It took them lower than 24 hours to disqualify him. Now let’s have a look at how lengthy it takes to reinstate him.”
Whereas listening to Rahul Gandhi’s attraction towards the conviction, the Supreme Courtroom maintained that Mr Gandhi’s remarks usually are not in good style, particularly for an individual in public life, and that “the petitioner should have been extra cautious in making speeches”.
“The ramifications of disqualification not simply have an effect on the fitting of the person but additionally the voters,” it mentioned.
Observing that the trial decide awarded the utmost sentence of two years within the case, the highest court docket highlighted that it might not have attracted disqualification if the sentence was a day lesser.
At a rally in Karnataka’s Kolar in 2019, Rahul Gandhi, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mentioned, “How come all of the thieves have Modi because the widespread surname?”. Mr Gandhi had earlier challenged his conviction earlier than a classes court docket in Surat, the place the attraction is pending.
