‘Only Gujaratis can be thugs’ remark: SC stays proceedings in defamation case against Tejaswi Yadav

Yadav is facing allegations of criminal defamation based on a complaint filed by Haresh Mehta, vice-president of the Ahmedabad-based non-profit All India Anti-Corruption and Crime Preventive Council. Mehta has accused Yadav of defaming Gujaratis by labelling them as “cheats” and “thugs”.

In his complaint, Mehta has alleged that Yadav, on March 22, purportedly said during a media address: “Jo do thag hai naa, jo thag hai, thagi ko jo anumati hai, aaj ke desh ke halat mein dekha jayein toh sirf Gujarati hi thag ho sakte hai aur uske thag ko maaf kiya jaayega. LIC ka paisa, bank ka paisa de do, fir vo log leke bhaag jaayenge, toh kaun jimmevar hoga. (The two cheats that are there, the leeway given to cheats, if today’s situation in the country is seen, then only Gujaratis can be cheats and their cheating will be forgiven. They will be given LIC’s money, banks’ money and they will run away with it. Who will be held responsible).”

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the RJD leader, expressed his wonder on how the statement is defamatory.

Justice Oka pointed to the portion of the statement where it was said “aaj ke desh ke halat mein dekha jayein toh sirf Gujarati hi thag ho sakte hai,” and said it seemed to suggest “this can happen only in Gujarat.”

Sibal however urged the court that the reference was only to two persons.

The court will now hear the matter on January 5.