​On April 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of India stayed the criminal defamation proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi concerning his remarks about freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. However, the Court expressed strong disapproval of Gandhi’s statements and cautioned him against making similar comments in the future.​

The case stems from Gandhi’s speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Akola, Maharashtra, on November 17, 2022, where he allegedly referred to Savarkar as a “British servant” who received a pension. This led to a defamation complaint filed in a Lucknow court, which issued summons to Gandhi. After the Allahabad High Court refused to quash the summons on April 4, 2025, Gandhi approached the Supreme Court challenging the proceedings .

During the hearing, a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan questioned the basis of Gandhi’s remarks. Justice Datta highlighted that Mahatma Gandhi also used the phrase “your faithful servant” in his letters to the Viceroy, questioning whether that would label him a servant of the British. The Court emphasized the need to understand historical context before making such statements and warned that any future derogatory comments about freedom fighters could lead to suo motu action .

While the Supreme Court has stayed the defamation proceedings, it has not dismissed the case entirely. The matter remains under judicial consideration, with the Court’s warning serving as a caution to Gandhi regarding his public statements on historical figures.

Sources