‘Chronic habit of Rahul to abuse, defame,’: Ravi Shankar Prasad after Gujarat HC verdict

Following the verdict, the BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad called Rahul a "serial offender" as far as defamation is concerned.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: July 7, 2023 01:48 PM IST

3 min read

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (AP)

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Following the Gujarat High Court’s dismissal of Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Congress leader, saying that “it has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame.” He also called Rahul a “serial offender” as far as defamation is concerned.

“…We would like to ask Congress – why can’t you control Rahul Gandhi? Why can’t you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, it would have ended…It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame & almost showering the worst kind of abuses against eminent leaders and organisations,” Prasad said.

Welcoming the Gujarat HC’s dismissal of Gandhi’s plea, BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who had filed the complaint against the Congress leader, called the verdict “Satyamev Jayate (truth will triumph)” in its real sense”.

“Everyone should accept the Court’s order,” said Modi, who had filed the complaint against Gandhi over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. “Rahul Gandhi had said insulting things about our surname,” he added. “He should think about it and not create such histories.”

Delivering its verdict on Friday, the Gujarat High Court stated that the sessions court order refusing to grant a stay on Rahul Gandhi’s conviction earlier is “just and legal”. Observing that such stays are an exception, the court said no injustice will be caused to Gandhi if the conviction is not stayed.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said that the High Court verdict showed a mirror to the Congress. “Congress party and Rahul Gandhi received a shock once again today. After Sessions Court, Gujarat High Court also showed them a mirror. They insult the OBC community and then instead of apologising, they act out of arrogance,” he said, adding that Rahul owed the OBC community an apology.

Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the OBC community but instead of that, either his party workers threaten the judge or Congress party questions the judiciary,” said Poonawalla.

The Congress on Friday said it would move an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Court order dismissing party leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark.AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, “There is one more option before us… the Supreme Court. Let’s see. The Congress party will seek that option too”.

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His statement came soon after the Gujarat High Court dismissed Gandhi’s plea, upholding the order of the lower court, describing it as “just, proper and legal”.

A stay of the conviction would have paved the way for Gandhi’s reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

(With PTI, ANI inputs)

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