Gandhi assassination row: Stop cheap politics and apologise, RSS tells Rahul

New Delhi: Attempting to distance itself from Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi must tender an apology or he would have to frequently visit the Supreme Court.

The RSS asked Rahul to apologise after the top court observed that the Congress Vice-President would either have to express regret for linking the Hindu outfit with Gandhi’s assassination or face trial in a defamation case.

"If he has even a bit of respect for the court, he will apologise. If he doesn't apologise, he will have to frequently visit the court. Let me tell him, his party member Sitaram Kesri had associated the RSS with the murder of Gandhi and he had to apologise. Another leader Arjun Singh had to frequently visit the court. A renowned columnist AG Noorani had to apologise," RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha said.

Read: Say sorry or face trial for saying RSS behind Gandhi killing: SC to Rahul

Sinha said if Gandhi doesn't apologise then he will be punished in the court's trial. "Defamation case is not ordinary. The politics of the Nehru family for three generations goes on the basis of lie. Its proof is from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi?they are putting in such a blame which has been rejected by the court," he added.

He further stated that when the case of Godse came up in the court, it clearly said that the RSS has no connection with the witness. "In 1965, Indiraji had constituted the Kapur Commission. It examined the matter and submitted the report in 1979 where the RSS was not associated with the murder of (Mahatma) Gandhi," he added.

Sinha said that it would be cheap politics on part of the Congress top brass if they indulge in such allegations and counter allegations.

"It is not only the court's observation, but a slap on Rahul's face," he added. Signalling major trouble for Gandhi, the Supreme Court earlier today rapped the Congress vice-president in connection with the defamation case filed against him for his remark on the RSS and said that he must face trial.

Gandhi, who was charged with defamation over his statement blaming the RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, had earlier urged the apex court to quash the case against him. During the hearing, the apex court observed that the Congress vice-president must face trial and that the case must be decided on merits even though what he said was for public good or not.

The apex court has given time till next Wednesday for Gandhi to detail his arguments. The Congress vice-president has maintained that his statement on the RSS involvement in Mahatma Gandhi's killing was a historical fact and his counsel has asserted that his statement was within his right to free speech. The case was by filed by RSS worker Rajesh Kunte against Gandhi in a Maharashtra court for allegedly blaming the RSS for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

The apex court had earlier on May 7 last year stayed the proceedings against the Congress vice-president, pending before a magisterial court in Bhiwandi of Maharashtra's Thane district. It was alleged by Kunte, the secretary of Bhiwandi unit of RSS, that the Congress vice-president told an election rally at Sonale on March 6 that 'RSS people killed Gandhiji'.

He said the Congress leader had sought to tarnish the reputation of the Sangh through his speech.

Following the complaint, the magistrate's court had initiated proceedings and issued notice to Gandhi directing him to appear before it. The Congress leader then approached the High Court seeking exemption from appearance and quashing of the complaint. Gandhi's lawyers had argued that complaint was motivated and malafide and deserved to be quashed.