‘If you are a true Indian…’: Supreme Court rebukes Rahul Gandhi over remarks on Army; stays further proceedings

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed criminal proceedings against Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with a complaint filed over his alleged remarks on the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant, Udai Shanker Srivastava, seeking their responses.

The court expressed concern over Gandhi’s remarks and questioned their basis. “How do you get to know that 2,000 sq km land was occupied by Chinese? If you are a true Indian, you wouldn’t say such a thing,” the bench observed.


It further advised Gandhi to use institutional forums for political expression. “You are Leader of Opposition. Say things in Parliament, why do you have to say it on social media?” the bench asked.

The complaint had alleged that during the Yatra, Gandhi made derogatory statements about the Indian Army in the context of the border situation with China.

The Allahabad High Court had earlier dismissed Gandhi’s plea on May 29, which had challenged the summoning order issued by a Lucknow court. In his challenge, Gandhi argued that the complaint was politically motivated and filed in bad faith.

The Supreme Court has granted interim relief and listed the matter for further hearing.

(With inputs from PTI)