NEW DELHI: In his first reaction after getting relief from the Supreme Court in the "Modi surname" remark defamation case, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that "truth always wins" and that his duty of "protecting the idea of India" remains the same.
The relief for Gandhi could pave the way for his reinstatement as Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.
"The truth always wins. I have clarity about my path. I am thankful to all those who stood with us," the Congress leader said in a short statement to reporters at the AICC HQ in Delhi, where he got a rousing welcome from ecstatic party workers.
Shortly after the apex court's order, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted along a similar vein: "Come what may, my duty remains the same. Protect the idea of India."
Let us see how long it takes for Rahul's reinstatement: KhargeCongress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also welcomed the SC's decision and said: "Today is a happy day. I welcome the SC's decision which illustrates that we can still get justice in this country. This is a victory for the country, the democracy and its values."
He added that it remains to be seen how quickly Rahul will be reinstated as MP. "Rahul Gandhi was disqualified within 24 hours after a Gujarat court gave its verdict in March. Now, we will see, how many hours it will take to reinstate his membership (in Parliament)."
Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he has urged the Chair to allow Gandhi to attend the House. "Our leader Rahul got relief from the Supreme Court. I demand from the Chair to allow him to attend the House at the earliest," he said.
Rahul Gandhi to return to Parliament as Supreme Court suspends conviction
Will continue legal battle: ModiMeanwhile, BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who filed the defamation case against Gandhi, said he "will continue the legal battle in court".
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Singh highlighted that the SC's order was an interim judgement and accused the Congress of contradicting itself. "They [Congress] are the same people who had earlier raised questions over the judiciary and even claimed that the Constitution was in danger in the country."
Victory of love over hate: CongressThe Congress described the SC order as a "victory of love over hate".
"Despite the relentless efforts of the BJP's machinery, Rahul Gandhi has refused to bend, break or bow, choosing instead to place his faith in the judicial process," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also took to Twitter to welcome the SC's decision: "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth”.
"We are filled with energy. We had hoped for justice and justice has been done. Wait and watch, Rahul Gandhi will be the 'baazigar'. Truth will triumph...People's trust in judiciary has strengthened today," said Congress leader Pawan Khera.
No reason given for maximum sentence: SCA three-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, P S Narasimha and Sanjay Kumar said, "No reason has been given by the trial judge for imposing maximum sentence, the order of conviction needs to be stayed pending final adjudication."
It, however, noted that Gandhi's remarks were "not in good taste and that a person in public life is expected to exercise caution while making public speeches".
The apex court while granting relief to Gandhi said the ramifications of the trial court’s order are wide. "Not only was Gandhi’s right to continue in public life affected but also that of the electorate who elected him," the Bench said.
It further noted: “Trial judge awarded maximum sentence of two years. Except for the admonition by Supreme Court, no other reason has been granted for this by the trial judge forwarding a maximum of two years of the sentence. It is to be noted only on account of this maximum sentence, provisions of the Representation of People Act have come into play. Had the sentence been a day lesser, provisions would not have been attracted [disqualification from Lok Sabha]."
When the offence is non-cognisable, bailable, or compoundable, the trial judge is expected to give reasons for imposing maximum sentence, it added.
“Though the court has spent voluminous pages rejecting stay on conviction, these aspects are not considered in their orders,” the bench further said.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on March 24 following his conviction in the defamation case. A Surat court on March 23 had sentenced Rahul Gandhi for two years in jail in the 2019 criminal defamation case in "Modi surname" remarks case.
(With inputs from agencies)