The Bareilly District Court has issued a notice to Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with his remarks on the caste census made during parliamentary election campaigns. Gandhi has been directed to appear before the court on January 7.
The notice follows a petition filed by Pankaj Pathak, who alleged that Gandhi’s statement was akin to an “attempt to start a civil war” in the country.
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Initially dismissed by the MP-MLA court, the petition was pursued in the District Judge Court, which accepted the appeal and issued the notice. “Our appeal was accepted there, and a notice was issued to Rahul Gandhi,” Pathak said, as ANI reported.
“We felt that the statement given by Rahul Gandhi during the elections on caste census was like an attempt to start a civil war in the country,” Pathak added, emphasising the potential divisive impact of Gandhi’s remarks.
Rahul Gandhi slams BJP over Ambekar row
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi intensified his criticism of the BJP, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged a “full attack on the Constitution” by the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah, accusing them of insulting B R Ambedkar.
Taking to social media, Gandhi posted, “BJP, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah have committed the biggest mistake of their lives by attacking the Constitution and insulting Baba Saheb. India will not forgive this mistake. The Home Minister should apologise and resign.”
Gandhi also shared a montage highlighting Congress protests and speeches against Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar, reiterating his stance that the fight is between “Manusmriti and the Constitution.”
He declared in Parliament, “There is a battle taking place today in India. This side (referring to Congress MPs) are the defenders of the idea of the Constitution.”
(With inputs from ANI)