Indian opposition hits back at Supreme Court over Rahul Gandhi case

NEW DELHI: Members of the Indian opposition bloc, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), have expressed concern over recent remarks made by a Supreme Court judge during a hearing related to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The comments came during proceedings in a criminal defamation case linked to statements made by Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra – translated as ‘Uniting India for Justice March’. The complaint alleges that the remarks were aimed at undermining the morale of the armed forces.

According to Indian media sources, floor leaders of parties in the INDIA alliance discussed, at a meeting held on Tuesday morning, the observations made by Justice Dipankar Datta. The judge, part of a bench also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, questioned the basis of Rahul Gandhi’s claim that China had acquired 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, asking his counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, about the source of such information.

Justice Datta had said, “How do you get to know when 2000 sq km was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian will not say this. When there is a conflict across the border, can you say all this?” He had also noted that Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution does not give individuals unrestricted freedom of speech.

The court issued a notice to the complainant, retired Border Roads Organisation Director Uday Shankar Srivastava, and paused further proceedings in the trial court, following Gandhi’s petition to quash the case.

In a joint statement, the INDIA bloc said that there was consensus among party leaders that such remarks have implications for the role of political opposition in a democracy. The statement also said that it is the responsibility of political leaders, including the Leader of Opposition, to raise issues of national concern.

However, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leaders responded positively to the Supreme Court’s observations.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Gandhi had made repeated statements about territorial losses to China without presenting evidence, which, he argued, could impact military morale. Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar also criticised Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making misleading statements for political purposes.

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