Hindu Sena vs. BJP leader over 'terrorist' remark against Rahul
What's the story
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking action against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for his alleged defamatory remarks about Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The plea was lodged by Hindu Sena Chief Surjit Singh Yadav, who expressed his displeasure over Bittu's comments made during a press briefing on September 15.
Controversial comments
Bittu's remarks against Gandhi spark legal action
The plea quoted Bittu as saying, "Rahul Gandhi is not an Indian...he has spent most of his time outside. He does not love his country much because he...says everything in wrong way...The people who are most wanted, separatists, and experts in making bombs, guns and shells, have appreciated what Rahul Gandhi has said."
"If there should be an award to catch the number one terrorist and the biggest enemy of the country, it should be on Rahul Gandhi," it added.
Legal proceedings
Yadav seeks legal action against Bittu for derogatory remarks
Yadav has demanded that a complaint be registered and prosecution initiated against Bittu for his allegedly derogatory, misleading, and false statements about Gandhi.
He argued that Bittu's comments are not only baseless but also incite hatred and violence.
"That the inflammatory nature of the remarks...has caused public unrest and violence," Yadav said in his plea.
He added that Bittu's remarks against Gandhi, characterizing him as a "enemy of the country" and a "terrorist," have a multifaceted and significant impact.
Police complaint
Congress leader files police complaint against Bittu
In addition to Yadav, Congress leader Ajay Maken has also filed a police complaint against Bittu for allegedly calling Gandhi a "number one terrorist of the country."
The complaint was lodged at Tughlak Road Police Station in Delhi, with a copy sent to the Election Commission of India.
Maken has requested the registration of an FIR under sections 351, 352, 353, and 61 of the BNS at the earliest.
Allegations
Maken alleges inflammatory remarks against Gandhi
Maken's complaint also names Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarvinder Singh Marwah, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, and Uttar Pradesh Minister Raghuraj Singh.
He alleges that these leaders have made inflammatory remarks against Gandhi, including issuing assassination threats and announcing a bounty for anyone who would cut off Gandhi's tongue.
"If someone doesn't like what Rahul Gandhi says.., it doesn't justify issuing a threat to cut his tongue," Maken said.