Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname by a court in Gujarat's Surat. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.
The case was filed against Mr Gandhi by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying "How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?"
Here are the Highlights on Rahul Gandhi conviction:
The action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is an occasion for "fight, not fright" and all parties opposed to the ruling BJP at the Centre must come together "without delay", Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said today. The RJD leader, whose party has been a Congress ally for two decades, was reacting to the conviction of Gandhi by a Gujarat court in a defamation case. "Yeh darne ka nahin, ladne ka waqt hai (It's the time to fight, not fright)", he said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today convened a meeting of top party leaders at his residence to discuss the situation arising out of the conviction and two-year sentence of Rahul Gandhi by a Surat court in a defamation case. Senior Congress leaders, including party MPs, gathered at Mr Kharge's residence in the evening and deliberated on the political fallout of Mr Gandhi's conviction.
The Congress staged a rail roko in Kumbakonam and Virudhachalam in Tamil Nadu while party lawmakers resorted to a "black band" protest in front of the State Assembly here today condemning the sentencing of party leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said he spoke to "brother" Rahul Gandhi and conveyed his solidarity. He accused the BJP of trampling democratic rights.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today alleged that the BJP-led government wants to get Rahul Gandhi removed from Lok Sabha through disqualification as he speaks the truth and exposes it. His remarks came after a court in Surat sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in a defamation case, filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, for his alleged remark, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?"
The reactions of leaders of Congress make it clear that they don't respect the institutions of the country. This is quite evident that they have scant respect for the institutions and they are repeatedly showing it: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Surat Court's... pic.twitter.com/7ABnbYDvBO
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj hit out at the Centre over the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case, saying while the Congress leader's remark using the 'Modi' surname was wrong, it was unfair to single him out as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also commented on the Nehru surname. Earlier, today, the Surat district court sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years of imprisonment in a criminal defamation case filed against him for his alleged remark using the Modi surname at a campaign meeting in Karnataka for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP will protest aginst Rahul Gandhi...The way they are insulting the court order, we'll (BJP) protest across the state. Rahul Gandhi must apologise to PM Modi. They are countering the judiciary. From tomorrow, we will protest against & condemn Rahul Gandhi's statement:... pic.twitter.com/2sz8WnYuyE
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
आप जितनी भी कोशिश कर लें, डराने की, धमकाने की, आवाज को दबाने की, झूठे केस फाइल करने की, इससे आवाज दबने वाली नहीं है।
- Congress (@INCIndia) March 23, 2023
सामाजिक, आर्थिक और राजनीतिक मुद्दों पर श्री राहुल गांधी बोलते रहेंगे, आवाज उठाते रहेंगे।
- @DrAMSinghvi जी pic.twitter.com/5P5LA213Sb
Arvind Kejriwal Supports Rahul Gandhi After Defamation Case ConvictionShowing a shift in its stance, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today openly supported Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he was sentenced to two years in jail in a defamation case.
Rahul Gandhi Can Be Disqualified, Say Congress Sources: 10 PointsCongress's Rahul Gandhi was given a two-year jail term today by a court in Gujarat in a defamation case over his remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. The party said attempts to "silence" Mr Gandhi will not help, "we will fight the cases.
#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives at his residence in Delhi.
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
Surat District Court in Gujarat held him guilty in the criminal defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark. He was later granted bail. pic.twitter.com/9Kw3IBVHMt
DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin spoke to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over phone to express party's support.
Can Rahul Gandhi Be Disqualified As MP? A Lakshadweep PrecedentCongress's Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case for his comment against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thrown up a big question over his fate in the Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi Guilty In Defamation Case. What Surat Court Said In JudgmentRahul Gandhi, in a huge setback for his Congress party, was today sentenced to two years in jail in a 2019 criminal defamation case filed against him over his "why all thieves have Modi surname" remarks.
#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi returns to Delhi.
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
Surat District Court in Gujarat held him guilty in the criminal defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark. He was later granted bail. pic.twitter.com/viUhC38zHl
The BJP today asserted that the law will take its course if Rahul Gandhi abuses people and slammed the Congress over its criticism of his conviction in a defamation case, asking whether the opposition party wants "complete freedom" for him to "abuse" others. Addressing a press conference, BJP leader and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also cautioned Gandhi against making defamatory remarks, saying the Congress leader will find himself facing "more troubles" if he doesn't refrain from doing so.
On Rahul Gandhi's Jail Term, Most Opposition Parties In Silent ModeThe two-year jail term for Congress's Rahul Gandhi has generated a deafening silence from most opposition parties.
Rahul Gandhi defies and disrespects every democratic institution, whether it is the Parliament or the judiciary. He should come out of this dynastic mindset and realise that no individual is bigger than the country, bigger than the people of India, bigger than the Constitution of... pic.twitter.com/qDqLES9wcs
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
"Punished For Speaking Truth": Jairam Ramesh On Rahul Gandhi's ConvictionCongress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh in a tweet today said that Rahul Gandhi was being punished for speaking the truth and raising his voice against the dictator.
Supreme Court Lawyer Seeks Rahul Gandhi's Disqualification From Lok SabhaVineet Jindal, activist and Supreme Court lawyer, today filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker, seeking disqualification of Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi from the house.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today said the two-year sentence awarded to Rahul Gandhi by a court in Surat is a matter of concern for democracy, and alleged that non-BJP governments and leaders were being made victims of conspiracies. He said though he has full faith in the judiciary, he is against the decision to sentence the Congress leader in a 2019 criminal defamation case filed against him over his "Modi surname" remarks.
राहुल गांधी सरकार से कठिन सवाल पूछ रहे हैं।
- Congress (@INCIndia) March 23, 2023
उनके सवालों का जवाब न शाह के पास है, न शहंशाह के पास है और न ही उनके किसी वजीर के पास।
इसलिए सुबह से शाम तक ये राहुल गांधी जी की आवाज को बंद करने का षड्यंत्र रचते हैं।
: @Pawankhera जीpic.twitter.com/9cgCgBl6hM
𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐢'𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
National Herald Case: On Bail
Modi Surname Case: On Bail
सत्य, अहिंसा का ये कैसा है खेल?😟 https://t.co/PvswtaiPLC
The BJP claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also "failing legally" after a Gujarat court verdict on Thursday held him guilty in a 2019 criminal defamation case. A court in Surat sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in the case filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for his alleged remark, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?" BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Mr Gandhi should consider what he says, particularly while using words that may be construed as being disrespectful about a community or person.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Police detained Congress workers protesting against the conviction of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by the Surat district court over his 'Modi surname' remark. pic.twitter.com/Z0To2cQrP8
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
Congress MLAs created noisy scenes in Jharkhand Assembly today over the sentencing of Rahul Gandhi by a Gujarat court and holding BJP responsible behind the judgement. Congress lawmakers trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans like 'BJP ki Hitlarsahi Nahi Chalegi' (BJP's Hitler-like rule will not work).
All Congress MPs will go to Delhi airport to receive Rahul Gandhi at 4:30 pm. Rahul Gandhi will arrive at Terminal 1 of the Delhi Airport from Surat at around 4 pm.
"I Am Modi Too, Felt Insulted": BJP MP Welcomes Rahul Gandhi ConvictionBJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi welcomed a Surat court's decision to convict Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname.
#WATCH | Gujarat: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi leaves from Surat airport.
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
Surat District Court held Congress MP Rahul Gandhi guilty in the criminal defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark. pic.twitter.com/bccw2W5KBC
राहुलजी को इस सच्चाई को स्वीकार करना चाहिए कि शब्दों की चोट, शस्त्रों की चोट से ज्यादा गहरी और पीड़ादायी होती है|
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 23, 2023
हम सभी को यह सुनिश्चित करना चाहिए कि सार्वजनिक जीवन में शब्दों की मर्यादा किसी भी सूरत में न टूटने पाये| pic.twitter.com/AzO54JbMc3
The law of India has it that if an individual or an organisation has been defamed with scurrilous statements, scandalous comments, abuses or any defamatory remarks, then s/he has right to seek address.
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
- Shri @rsprasad pic.twitter.com/8DAg14WKio
Congress faced severe defeats in the recent elections in the North East. Mr. Rahul, just because people don't vote for you,it doesn't mean that you have got right to blame them, it doesn't mean that you have got license to defame India & her democratic values on the foreign soil. pic.twitter.com/3bofGqeXdq
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
आप गाली देंगे, आप देश की सेना का अपमान करेंगे, देश के शहीदों की शहादत का मजाक बनाएंगे, आप देश की राष्ट्रभक्ति और राष्ट्रशक्ति का अपमान करेंगे, आप देश के मतदाताओं का अपमान करेंगे और कहेंगे कि मैं सत्य और अहिंसा में विश्वास करता हूं, ऐसा कैसे चलेगा?
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
- श्री @rsprasad pic.twitter.com/VMnlnHYRyi
But Congress Party has an objection with this; it wants complete freedom for Rahul Gandhi to utter abuses.
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
- Shri @rsprasad
अगर राहुल गांधी को अपनी जिद्द से लोगों को अपमानित करने का और गाली देने का अधिकार है तो उनकी गाली से पीड़ित लोगों को मानहानि का केस करने का अधिकार है।
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
- श्री @rsprasad
The law of India has it that if an individual or an organisation has been defamed with scurrilous statements, scandalous comments, abuses or any defamatory remarks, then s/he has right to seek address.
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
- Shri @rsprasad pic.twitter.com/8DAg14WKio
राहुल गांधी ने कहा कि मैं सत्य और अहिंसा में विश्वास रखता हूं।
- BJP (@BJP4India) March 23, 2023
क्या सत्य और अहिंसा में विश्वास करना लोगों को अपमानित करना है?
देश को जातिसूचक गाली देना है?
- श्री @rsprasad pic.twitter.com/CTs0gyQSw7
कायर, तानाशाह भाजपा सरकार श्री @RahulGandhi और विपक्ष से तिलमिलाई हुई है क्योंकि हम उनके काले कारनामों को उजागर कर रहे हैं। JPC की माँग कर रहे हैं।
- Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 23, 2023
राजनैतिक दिवालियेपन की शिकार मोदी सरकार,
ED, पुलिस भेजती है
राजनैतिक भाषणों पर केस थोपती है।
हम Higher Court में अपील करेंगे।
The Congress today said former party chief Rahul Gandhi will file an appeal against a Gujarat court verdict holding him guilty in a 2019 criminal defamation case and alleged that he was being "punished" for raising his voice for the truth.
सबको पता है
- Congress (@INCIndia) March 23, 2023
राहुल गांधी जी तानाशाह के खिलाफ आवाज़ बुलंद कर रहे हैं। गलत को गलत कहने का साहस दिखा रहे हैं।
इस साहस से तानाशाह घबराया हुआ है। कभी ED, कभी पुलिस, कभी केस, कभी सजा से डराने में जुटा है।
राहुल गांधी जी इस मामले में न्यायसंगत अपील दायर करेंगे। हम लड़ेंगे और जीतेंगे। pic.twitter.com/wdhA7nKCR7
The 2019 Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi: Explained In 5 PointsCongress leader Rahul Gandhi was today found guilty in a 2019 defamation case and sentenced to two years in jail over remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname.
Rahul Gandhi Quotes Mahatma Gandhi In Response To Defamation ConvictionRahul Gandhi cited a quote from Mahatma Gandhi after a Surat court pronounced him guilty in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname.
श्री राहुल गांधी सत्य एवं अहिंसा के सिपाही हैं। सरकारी तंत्र के दबाव में वो असत्य के सामने झुकने वाले नहीं हैं। राहुल जी एवं कांग्रेस पार्टी फासिस्ट ताकतों के खिलाफ मजबूती से लड़ती रहेगी।
- Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 23, 2023
मैं सत्य में विश्वास करता हूं।
- Congress (@INCIndia) March 23, 2023
मैं सत्य के लिए लड़ता हूं।
मैं BJP-RSS से नहीं डरता... और यही बात उन्हें परेशान करती है। pic.twitter.com/B6mkUAtURI
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju today said Rahul Gandhi's remarks have caused harm to the Congress whose leaders were worried that the party's fortunes were sinking. His remarks came after a Gujarat court convicted Mr Gandhi for his 'Modi surname' comments and handed out a two-year jail term to the Lok Sabha member from Wayanad.
ग़ैर बीजेपी नेताओं और पार्टियों पर मुक़दमे करके उन्हें ख़त्म करने की साज़िश हो रही है
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 23, 2023
हमारे कांग्रेस से मतभेद हैं मगर राहुल गांधी जी को इस तरह मानहानि मुक़दमे में फ़साना ठीक नहीं। जनता और विपक्ष का काम है सवाल पूछना। हम अदालत का सम्मान करते हैं पर इस निर्णय से असहमत हैं
डरी हुई सत्ता की पूरी मशीनरी साम, दाम, दंड, भेद लगाकर @RahulGandhi जी की आवाज को दबाने की कोशिश कर रही है।
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 23, 2023
मेरे भाई न कभी डरे हैं, न कभी डरेंगे। सच बोलते हुए जिये हैं, सच बोलते रहेंगे। देश के लोगों की आवाज उठाते रहेंगे।
सच्चाई की ताकत व करोड़ों देशवासियों का प्यार उनके साथ है।
He has been granted bail. We knew from the beginning because they kept changing judges. We believe in law, judiciary and we will fight against this as per law: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Rahul Gandhi found guilty in the criminal defamation case filed against him... pic.twitter.com/9ANeParYWW
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
#WATCH | We keep saying our democracy is in danger as there is pressure on judiciary, ECI, ED & they're all misused. All decisions are made under influence. Such comments are common... Rahul Gandhi is a courageous man & only he can compete with NDA govt: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot pic.twitter.com/Wolt0IuYLa
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
#WATCH | "I welcome the judgement of the court," says BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who filed the complaint against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his 'Modi surname' remark. pic.twitter.com/hIGhavQCym
- ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2023
Opposition Alleges "Conspiracy" As Rahul Gandhi Convicted For DefamationRahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case triggered sharp reactions from the Opposition camps.
मेरा धर्म सत्य और अहिंसा पर आधारित है। सत्य मेरा भगवान है, अहिंसा उसे पाने का साधन।
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 23, 2023
- महात्मा गांधी
