GUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 29: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi got bail after he appeared in a court here on Thursday in connection with a defamation case.
The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup released Gandhi against a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond of Rs 50,000 and fixed November 5 as next date of hearing for the case.
The case is regarding Gandhi’s visit to the Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery, on December 12 last year.
Later, Gandhi addressed the party workers outside the court and said that his fight against the RSS’ ideology to divide the country will continue.
“RSS wants to divide the country and my fight is against them. I am not scared and my fight against poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment will continue,” Gandhi said after appearing at the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Kamrup.
A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer had filed a defamation suit against Gandhi last year and the court of the CJM after examining various witnesses asked Gandhi to appear before the court on September 29.
“Gandhi sought relief under the PR Bond. The court with permission from the petitioner released him against a PR bond,” said the petitioner’s advocate Bijan Mahajan while talking to media outside the court.
“They (Bharatiya Janata Party) want to disturb my 30-day trip to Uttar Pradesh for the farmers. That is the reason such cases are filed against me,” Gandhi said, adding that his fight will continue.
He was supposed to enter the Satra in December before taking part in a road show, organised nearby, but did not do so.
Later in New Delhi, he told media persons that some RSS workers prevented him from entering the Satra.
He also alleged that the RSS has incited the local women to prevent him from entering the Satra.
The volunteer filed the defamation suit, not only denying the role of the RSS into the incident but also alleging that Gandhi’s statement to media in New Delhi had tarnished the image of Satra.
Holds meeting with senior Assam Congress members
GUWAHATI: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today held a meeting with senior members and officials of the party’s Assam unit after he was granted relief by a local court in a criminal defamation case filed against him by an RSS functionary.
“Gandhi met state leaders and took stock of the political scenario here. He appreciated former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s active participation in all party programmes. He said Gogoi is still working like a youth,” Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson said.
Gandhi also lauded the organisational skills of new Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora and hoped the party will be stronger now, he said.
“The Congress vice president also discussed strategies for bye-election of Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat which fell vacant after Sarbananda Sonowal became the Chief Minister of Assam,” the spokesperson said.
Gandhi also met the party workers here and appealed to them to work for the poor and marginalised section of the society, he added.
Gandhi had appeared as accused before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Kamrup and was granted Personal Recognisance (PR) bond as he appeared personally and in deference to his status as MP.
The complainant had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi alleging that he had brought down the image of the RSS by saying he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery, in Assam on December 12 last year. (PTI)
