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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Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
