Remarks against Savarkar: SC extends stay on trial in case against Rahul Gandhi in UP
New Delhi(PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday extended the stay on the criminal proceedings against senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal case lodged in Uttar Pradesh for his comments against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 2022.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankra Datta and Augustine George Masih took note of the fact that a letter for adjournment was circulated in the case filed by Gandhi and decided to hear it after four weeks.
Senior advocate Garima Prasad, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, apprised the court that a reply to the plea has been filed by the state.
The state government has opposed the plea of Gandhi and sought its dismissal saying it agreed with “the contention of complainant advocate Nripendra Pandey that Rahul Gandhi’s actions were done with intention of spreading hate and enmity within the society.”
It said the order passed by the Allahabad High Court, rejecting Gandhi’s plea, was “justified and legal” and interference from the top court was “warranted”.
The bench also permitted complainant Pandey, who had fled the case against the Congress leader, to file his reply during the day.
It said Gandhi can file his rejoinder to the replies filed by the state government and others in two weeks.
Earlier, the top court on April 25 had pulled up Gandhi for his "irresponsible" remarks on Savarkar, saying "let's not mock our freedom fighters".
The bench, however, stayed the criminal proceedings against Gandhi in the case lodged in Uttar Pradesh for his remarks. Gandhi moved the apex court challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court, which refused to quash summons issued against him in the case.
A case under various penal provisions for alleged offences like 'promoting enmity between classes' and 'public mischief' was lodged against Gandhi by Pandey, a lawyer by profession.
The case stems from the Congress leader's comments on Savarkar made on November 17, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a rally in Maharashtra's Akola district.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
