New Delhi: The INDIA bloc Tuesday rallied behind Rahul Gandhi, saying the Supreme Court’s observations against the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition for his alleged remarks on the Army in the context of the Galwan Valley clash with China were “unwarranted”, as it was the moral duty of every citizen to hold the government accountable.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also defended her brother, suggesting that the court overstepped its role.
Presiding over a two-judge bench, Justice Dipankar Datta, while hearing an appeal by Rahul against the Allahabad High Court’s refusal to grant him relief in a criminal defamation case pending in a Lucknow court, remarked Monday that “if you (Rahul) are a true Indian, you would not say all these things”.
The court asked: “How do you know China occupied 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory?” Despite taking umbrage, the bench gave relief to Rahul.
The INDIA block took up the matter for discussion during the meeting of the alliance’s Parliament floor leaders Tuesday.
“All the leaders of the India parties agreed that the sitting judge has made an extraordinary observation which is unwarranted on the democratic rights of political parties. It is the responsibility of political parties, especially the Leader of Opposition, to comment on issues of national interest. When a government fails so spectacularly to defend our borders, it is every citizen’s moral duty to hold it accountable,” the Congress said in a statement.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Priyanka said Rahul’s remarks have been misinterpreted as he would never speak against the Army which he holds “in the highest respect”.
“With due respect to the judiciary, it is outside its purview to decide who is a true Indian and who is not…Justices can’t decide on this. Rahul ji has always respected the army, soldiers and officers. In all his speeches and comments, that respect is reflected. It is the responsibility of the Leader of Opposition to ask questions of the government, and he fulfills that,” she said.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal also took a veiled swipe at Justice Datta’s observations, saying that in “Modi’s India”, asking questions is branded “anti-national”.
“Silence is patriotism, and the “True Indian” badge is reserved for the timid, the blindfolded, and the spineless. Oh my Lord!!” Venugopal wrote on X.
He added that when Parliament is silenced, “the streets must roar” as the issue of Chinese incursions is not just serious, it strikes at the heart of national sovereignty.
“We have repeatedly demanded answers, both inside and outside Parliament. But this Government, in its delirium to peddle propaganda and project hollow bravado 24×7, is too afraid to face real questions in Parliament…” Venugopal posted on X.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)