Pune: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told a Pune court that he faces a threat to his life in connection with the Savarkar defamation case. Gandhi alleged that those who filed the defamation complaint against him are descendants of Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.
Appearing before the MP/MLA Special Court, Gandhi urged that he be granted preventive protection to ensure his safety and a fair trial, calling it the constitutional responsibility of the state. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on September 10.
“Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination was a well-planned conspiracy, and given such family history, I am at risk of being harmed or falsely implicated,” Gandhi said.
His counsel, advocate Milind Pawar, told the court that BJP leader RN Bittu had called Gandhi a “terrorist,” while another BJP leader, Tarvinder Marwah, had threatened that Gandhi could meet the same fate as his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The petition also referred to Gandhi’s recent political remarks, including his August 11 slogan in Parliament, “Vote thief chair chhod,” and the presentation of documents alleging electoral malpractice, which he claimed have intensified political hostility against him.
Gandhi further told the court that “a true Hindu is never violent and does not spread hatred,” accusing the BJP of spreading hatred and violence. Following this, BJP leaders alleged that Gandhi had insulted the Hindu community.
