SC Rebukes Rahul Gandhi Over China Remark, Stays Defamation Case

The Supreme Court rebuked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remark that China had annexed over 2,000 kilometres of Indian territory, stating that a "true Indian" would not make such a remark.

Image: ANI

The Supreme Court on Monday rebuked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remark that China had annexed over 2,000 kilometres of Indian territory, stating that a "true Indian" would not make such a remark. However, the court granted relief to Gandhi by staying the defamation proceedings related to the statement and paused further action before the trial court.

Congress had alleged that “Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh,” criticising the government’s handling of tensions at the Line of Actual Control.

A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih questioned why Rahul Ganhi made such statements on social media instead of addressing the matter in Parliament.

Supreme Court said, “How do you get to know that 2000 sq km was occupied by China? What is the credible material? If you are a true indian, you would not say this. When there is a conflict across border… can you say all this. Why can't you ask the question in parliament?”

The bench of justice also asked senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, why Gandhi didn't say all this in Parliament and why on social media.

"Whatever you have to say, why don't you say it in the Parliament? Why do you have to say this in the social media posts?" Justice Datta said.

Gandhi, on December 16, 2022, during his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in the presence of media persons and a large gathering of the public, spoke regarding a face-off that took place between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army at the border of India in Arunachal Pradesh on December 9, 2022.

Gandhi had said, "People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra, here and there, Ashok Gahlot and Sachin Pilot and whatnot. But they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killing 20 Indian soldiers and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh. But the Indian press doesn't ask a question to them about this. Isn't it true? The nation is watching all this. Don't pretend that people don't know."

The complainant had said that the statement given by Gandhi was made as an attempt to demoralise the Indian Army.

(With ANI inputs)