Rahul will not apologise in RSS defamation case: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday said its Vice President Rahul Gandhi will not apologise for his remark against the RSS that it killed Mahatma Gandhi.

"Rahul Gandhi will present all historical evidence in support of his case in a court of law. He will not apologise," Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi told the media at Parliament House complex.

He said the Congress will support Gandhi all through the case.

"The case is in court. We would not like to comment on it," Gogoi said, adding that Rahul Gandhi has already said he will not apologise for his comment on the assassination of Father of the Nation.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court indicated that Rahul Gandhi will have to face trial in a defamation case filed by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist for allegedly accusing the organisation for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

RSS activist Rajesh Kunte had filed the defamation suit in a Maharashtra court against Gandhi. The Congress Vice President then moved the Supreme Court for quashing of the defamation proceedings.

Adjourning the matter till July 27, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Rahul Gandhi to detail his arguments in the case.

Gogoi also said the Congress will try to have a discussion in parliament under Rule 193 on the central government's action to "unconstitutionally dismiss" elected state governments.

Referring to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement in the Lok Sabha on the issue, the Congress spokesman said after hearing him it seems the Bharatiya Janata Party will continue to use unconstitutional methods to destabilise democratically elected state governments run by opposition parties in various states, which is "unfortunate".

"We saw no regrets in the Home Minister's comments, which is regrettable," Gogoi said.

Commenting on the Goods and Services Tax, he said the Congress has already stated its position and will like to see a "strong GST Bill", which is pending passage in the Rajya Sabha.

--IANS

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