Rahul speaks from courage of his conviction: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday said party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi speaks from the courage of his conviction and reiterated his submission before the Supreme Court that assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was a result of "destructive philosophy" of the persons associated with the RSS.

Answering queries on the defamation case filed by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) worker Rajesh Madhav Kunte, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said at a press conference here: "Rahul Gandhi speaks from the courage of his conviction, has spoken on historical evidence and facts, and always stood by, is standing by and will stand by the truth of what he spoke."

He said that Rahul Gandhi will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court in the matter.

Surejewala's remarks came after Gandhi's counsel Kapil Sibal told the apex court that he had not blamed the RSS as an institution for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi but the people associated with the organisation.

Sibal told this to the apex court while referring to an affidavit filed by Gandhi before the Bombay High Court challenging the defamation proceedings against him by Kunte.

Kunte had initiated the criminal defamation suit against the Congress Vice President objecting to his election speech at Sonale in Maharashtra wherein he had allegedly blamed the RSS for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

Sibal also addressed the media and said: "A careful reading of the relevant part of his (Rahul Gandhi) speech indicates that as per the petitioner, the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was a result of destructive philosophy of the persons associated with the RSS."

"He stands by that. It was also clearly suggested that the assassins were associated or affiliated with the RSS. We stand by that," the Congress leader added.

--IANS

aks/ps/pgh/vt