Pune— In a significant development in the ongoing criminal defamation case against him, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has submitted an application before the special MP/MLA court in Pune, asserting that Hindutva ideologues Nathuram Godse and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were proponents of the “Hindu Rashtra” ideology, viewing Muslims and Christians as “misfits” in the Indian nation, reported the Maktoob Media.
Rahul Gandhi further alleged that Savarkar and Godse shared familial ties—a fact he claimed was intentionally withheld from the court by the complainant, Satyaki Savarkar.
In his application, Gandhi pointed out that Satyaki Savarkar is the son of Ashok Savarkar, who was Vinayak Savarkar’s nephew, and that his mother Himani is the daughter of Gopal Godse, the brother of Nathuram Godse—convicted for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi alleged that the complainant disclosed only his paternal lineage while deliberately omitting his maternal link to the Godse family. He termed this omission a “fraud on the court,” potentially warranting dismissal of the complaint or denial of relief.
The application, filed by advocate Milind Pawar on behalf of Gandhi, included references to historical sources and Savarkar’s own writings. It noted that Savarkar, during his time in prison and later, consistently expressed anti-Muslim sentiments and promoted a Hindu nationalist ideology.
Citing Savarkar’s 1963 book Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History, the application stated that Savarkar accused Muslims and Christians of trying to destroy Hinduism. He advocated for a reduction in Muslim participation in the military, police, and public services, and even suggested that Muslims be banned from working in arms manufacturing.
The plea also highlighted controversial excerpts from Savarkar’s writings where he allegedly encouraged the use of sexual violence as a political weapon, suggesting that Muslim women were complicit in violence against Hindus, and calling for their conversion and subjugation.
Rahul Gandhi argued that his past remarks made in London—where he referenced Savarkar’s writings about assaulting a Muslim youth—were based on factual historical records and were not defamatory. The complainant, Satyaki Savarkar, has been ordered by Special Judge Amol Shinde to respond to the application.
This case continues to stir political debate, with the Congress leader using the courtroom to reignite discussions on the ideological legacy of the Hindu Right and its connection to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
