Rahul Gandhi is sued for defamation over blaming RSS for the assasination of Mahatma Gandhi. (AFP)
Rahul Gandhi, accused of defaming the ruling BJP's ideological mentor RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, appeared at a court in Maharashtra today as Parliament began its winter session.
The Congress Vice President has been sued over his comments at a rally before the 2014 election blaming the RSS for Gandhi's assassination in 1948. He was granted bail within moments by the court in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi town, around 32 km from Mumbai. The party, however, seized the visit to stage a political show.
"I have come here for Gandhi's ideology. Gandhi said those who stand straight cannot be bent into slavery," Mr Gandhi said, addressing a gathering of Congress workers.
"On one side we have the mentality of freedom, on the other we have that of ghulami (slavery)."
He attacked the currency ban enforced by the government last week, questioning his audience: "You are now standing in queues. Did you get Rs 4,000? Is any rich person standing in the queue?" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he charged, "runs a government of 15 people."
In September, Mr Gandhi, 45, had told the Supreme Court that he is ready to be tried on charges of defaming the RSS and withdrew his request to dismiss the case being heard in Bhiwandi.
The RSS said that it could withdraw the case if he states publicly that he does not blame it as an institution for the death of the Mahatma. Mr Gandhi, however, told the court that it is not an option.
"I stand by each and every word. I will never take my words back... I am ready to go to trial," said Mr Gandhi to judges through his lawyer, former union minister Kapil Sibal. The Supreme Court rejected the Congress leader's request to be exempted from appearing in person in the Bhiwandi court.
The BJP and the RSS accused Mr Gandhi of a "u-turn" after he told the top court that he did not blame the RSS but "people associated with it".