Cong consistently spreading lies about us: RSS

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 19 2016 | 6:23 PM IST
RSS today accused the Congress of "consistently trying to spread lies" about it and assailed its vice president Rahul Gandhi for "avoiding trial" in a defamation case against him in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi for linking the outfit with Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.
The BJP's ideological mentor also said Congress stood "exposed" after the Supreme Court today said Rahul Gandhi should not have engaged in "collective denunciation" of the organisation.
"Congress had been consistently trying to spread lies and baseless allegations about RSS. Today's Supreme Court ruling has exposed the Congress," RSS' head of communications department Manmohan Vaidya said.
"They (Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders) are avoiding the trial and are repeating the same false allegations against RSS. It seems he does not have faith in India's legal system and respect for it," he told PTI.
RSS activist Rajesh Kunte had lodged a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi for having told an election rally in Bhiwandi in Maharashtra's Thane district in 2014 that RSS was responsible for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.
Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court today observed that the Congress leader should not have resorted to "collective denunciation" of an organisation and said he will have to face trial in the defamation case if he does not express regret.
"We have held it may be historically correct but the fact or the statement has to meet the test of public good. You can't make collective denunciation," the SC bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman said and wondered "why he made a speech quoting wrong historical fact".
The apex court said it has applied its mind and Rahul Gandhi will have to face the trial in the case.
Rahul had moved the Supreme Court in May last year for quashing the criminal defamation case pending before a magisterial court in Bhiwandi. The apex court had granted interim stay on the proceedings of the case before the magisterial court.
*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: Jul 19 2016 | 6:23 PM IST

Next Story