SAMBHAL, Uttar Pradesh – A local court in Sambhal has issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, directing him to either appear in court or submit a response by April 4, 2025, concerning his controversial statement regarding a “fight against the Indian state.” This development stems from a complaint filed against Gandhi regarding his remarks made during a party event earlier this year.
The controversy revolves around a statement Gandhi made on January 15, 2025, during the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters, “Indira Bhawan.” In his speech, Gandhi asserted that the Congress and other opposition parties were not merely fighting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), but also the “Indian state itself.”
“Our ideology, like the RSS ideology, is thousands of years old, and it has been fighting the RSS ideology for thousands of years. Do not think that we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organization called the BJP or RSS, you have not understood what is going on. The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself,” Gandhi had stated.
These remarks triggered a strong reaction, with a complaint being filed by Simran Gupta, national president of the Hindu Shakti Dal. Initially, the complaint was presented to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court, which subsequently dismissed it on the grounds of jurisdictional issues. However, the complainant pursued the matter by filing a revision petition with the District Judge Court of Sambhal.
Advocate Sachin Goyal, representing the complainant, confirmed that the District Judge Court had accepted the revision petition and issued a summons to Rahul Gandhi. “Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had made a statement on 15 January 2025 that ‘We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself’. Simran Gupta had filed a case in the special MP/MLA court to register an FIR against Rahul Gandhi. The CJM had quashed it on the grounds of jurisdiction,” Advocate Goyal said. “We filed a revision petition against that order and the District Judge Court of Sambhal issued a summon to Rahul Gandhi to appear in court on April 4,” he added.
The complaint alleges that Gandhi’s statements were inflammatory and detrimental to the nation’s integrity. The complainant argues that these remarks have the potential to incite unrest and undermine the authority of the Indian state.
The political context surrounding this legal development is significant. Gandhi’s statements came at a time of heightened political tensions, with the opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of eroding democratic institutions. The BJP, in turn, has strongly condemned Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to destabilize the country.
This legal proceeding adds another layer of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere. It raises questions about the limits of free speech and the responsibilities of political leaders. The court’s decision will be closely watched by political analysts and legal experts alike.
Key points of the situation:
- Controversial Statement:
- Rahul Gandhi’s remark about fighting the “Indian state” has sparked legal action.
- Legal Proceedings:
- The Sambhal District Judge Court has issued a notice to Gandhi.
- The court has directed him to either appear or respond by April 4, 2025.
- The proceedings where initiated after an earlier dismissal of the case by a CJM court, and a later revision petition.
- Political Implications:
- The case has intensified the political discourse between the Congress and the BJP.
- The case also brings up discussions regarding freedom of speech.
- Complainant:
- The complaint was filed by Simran Gupta, national president of the Hindu Shakti Dal.
This case will likely continue to develop, and further information will be released as the court proceedings progress.
