Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana slams Supreme Court for ‘true Indian’ remark against Rahul Gandhi
Editorial defends Rahul Gandhi, questions judicial overreach on China remarks
Mumbai: In a strongly worded editorial published on Wednesday in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) came out in open support of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while sharply criticising the Supreme Court for its recent observation questioning Gandhi’s patriotism. The party termed the remarks as "wrong in every manner" and accused the judiciary of overstepping its mandate.
The controversy stems from oral observations made by a division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice A.G. Masih, during the hearing of a petition against Rahul Gandhi. The bench had questioned Gandhi’s statements during the Bharat Jodo Yatra about Chinese occupation of Indian territory, asking, “How did you know that China swallowed 2,000 square kilometres of India? Were you present there?” Justice Dutta reportedly added, “No true Indian would say such things, and if you are a true Indian, do not make such statements.”
Reacting to this, the Saamana editorial said, “What has the Supreme Court achieved by making such an observation? Was Rahul Gandhi’s patriotism the issue before the court?” It added that the judiciary has no business defining who is or isn’t a ‘true Indian’ and should refrain from giving unsolicited moral verdicts.
The Thackeray faction further asserted that since 2014, the definition of nationalism has been distorted by the BJP-led government, where praise for the regime is equated with patriotism, and dissent is branded as anti-national. “The ruling government has taken it upon itself to distribute certificates of patriotism and label those who question it as anti-nationals,” it said.
The editorial pointed out that Rahul Gandhi, as the Leader of Opposition, has every right to raise issues of national security, including Chinese intrusion, and questioned why similar statements made by BJP leaders such as Dr. Subramanian Swamy and Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao were not treated with equal scrutiny.
“Dr Swamy has publicly alleged that China grabbed 4,067 square kilometres of land in Ladakh. He even filed RTI queries and moved court, yet his patriotism was never questioned,” the editorial noted. It also cited Tapir Gao’s 2019 statement in Parliament about Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, wondering why Gandhi's remarks are seen as problematic while others escape criticism.
Addressing the Supreme Court’s suggestion that Gandhi should speak in Parliament rather than on social media, the editorial said, “Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly stated that he is not allowed to speak in Parliament. Opposition attempts to discuss the issue have been blocked under the pretext of national security.”
In a rhetorical flourish, the editorial concluded: “If the Supreme Court believes that questioning the government makes someone unpatriotic, will it now constitute a fact-finding committee to determine who is a true Indian?”
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Congress misleading public on National Herald case, matter still in court: BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday accused the Congress of running misleading propaganda over the trial court's decision in the National Herald case and said the court refused to take cognisance of the complaint but did not set aside the case.
The case is still pending trial in the Delhi High Court, and the trial court in its order on Tuesday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can continue its investigation, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia asserted.
"The court yesterday (Tuesday) said that since it is a private complaint and no FIR has been lodged, it will not take cognizance of it. It's a technical matter. The court also said that ED can continue its investigation further. The court did not set it aside," Bhatia told a press conference at the BJP headquarters here
"Its trial is still going on. Sonia Gandhi is still Accused Number-1 and Rahul Gandhi Accused Number-2," the BJP spokesperson said, alleging, "The Gandhi family thrives on deceit, deception, and propaganda."
