Rahul Gandhi's comment a desperate attempt to hold 'slipping' political ground: RSS

Image
ANI Bengaluru
Last Updated : Aug 07 2016 | 8:22 AM IST

Taking a strong exception to Rahul Gandhi in connection with a defamation case following his remark during his visit to lower Assam's Barpeta in December last year, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has said the Congress vice president is making such unrestrained remarks to hold on to his 'slipping' political ground.

"To hold on to his slipping political ground Rahul Gandhi has started to give unrestrained statements against RSS," RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha told ANI.

He said that now Gandhi has only way out and that is to apologise.

"He has only one option now that he should apologise. If he does not apologises outside the court, then I think a long period of his political time will be spent in trips to court," he added.

Sinha said it now depends on Gandhi's mentality and discretion whether he will apologies inside the court or outside, adding that Gandhi has a chance to prove his maturity by apologising publically.

"This is a chance for Rahul Gandhi to prove that he is maturing with his age it depends on him what message he wants to send out" he added.

Sinha further took a jibe at Gandhi by saying," The Prime Minister once said something in the Parliament about Gandhi's discretion level; people grow up as of their age but their maturity does not grows."

Escalating his attack on the Congress vice president, Sinha said Gandhi is

stuck in a wrong place.

"He has given a statement that Congress has been unable to prove and will neither be able to (prove) and many big shots have been trapped in this. A.G. Noorani is one of them," he added.

Gandhi was yesterday asked to appear before the Kamrup Metropolitan Court on September 29 in connection with the defamation case.

Gandhi had alleged that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers had stopped him from entering the Barpeta satra, a Vaishnavite monastery.

His remarks triggered a controversy across the country when he alleged that the women were made to sit at the entrance of the Satra, refusing him entry.

An RSS volunteer Anjan Bora had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi in the court claiming that he had tarnished the organisation's image by saying he was not allowed by its members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery in Assam, on December 12, 2015.

Later, Satra officials denied the charges and condemned the act.

In the suit, the complainant charged Gandhi with making false statements to defame the RSS.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 07 2016 | 8:02 AM IST

Next Story