As the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the criminal defamation case against him for his 'Modi surname' remark, Congress called it a "victory of love against hate". The decision paves the way for restoration of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership.
Celebrations broke out at the AICC office after the Supreme Court verdict. "It is a victory of love against hate. Satyamev Jayate - Jai Hind," Congress tweeted.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the conspiracy against Rahul Gandhi had failed today.
"You will see 'Satyamev Jayate' everywhere on Parliament premises. The conspiracy against Rahul Gandhi has failed today. Rahul Gandhi's victory will come down heavily on Modi Ji," ANI quoted Chowdhury as saying.
Senior Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh said the Supreme Court judgment was a strong vindication of truth and justice.
"Despite the relentless efforts of the BJPs machinery, Rahul Gandhi has refused to bend, break or bow, choosing instead to place his faith in the judicial process," Ramesh said.
"Let this be a lesson to the BJP and its acolytes: you can do your absolute worst but we will not back down. We will continue to expose and call out your failures as a Government and as a party. We will continue to uphold our Constitutional ideals and repose faith in our institutions which you so desperately want to destroy," he further said.
Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "Justice has prevailed. The roar of truth will be heard again the halls of democracy!"
Indian Youth Congress national president Srinivas BV said, "The truth has won. We had faith in the Supreme Court." Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party always had the belief in the legal procedure and the system of the country.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, "Rahul Gandhi cannot be stopped. Now, Manipur will get a voice when he returns (to Parliament)".
In its verdict, the Supreme Court said the ramifications of Gandhi's conviction were wide since it would also affect the right of the electorates who elected him.
"Considering the aforesaid and particularly that no reasons have been given by the trial judge for maximum sentence which has incurred disqualification, order of conviction needs to be stayed pendency of proceedings," the Supreme Court said, Bar and Bench reported.
Gowever, the Supreme Court bench, comprising of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and PV Sanjay Kumar, observed that the utterances of Rahul Gandhi were not in "good taste" and said that a person in public life ought to have been more careful while making public speeches.