'Truth Is My God': Rahul Gandhi Invokes Mahatma Gandhi After Conviction In 'Modi Surname' Case

Rahul Gandhi was convicted by Surat court in 2019 defamation case today.

New Delhi: Following his conviction in 2019 defamation case by Surat court today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi invoked words of Mahatma Gandhi saying, "My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God, non-violence the means to get it." The Congress MP was found guilty in the 2019 defamation case for his alleged 'Modi surname' remark during the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign. The Court sentenced the Congress leader to two years of imprisonment but was later granted bail. 

A case was filed on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi against the Wayanad MP for his alleged “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?” while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress General Secretary and Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi also came out in her brother's support saying, "My brother has never been afraid, nor will he ever be. Have lived speaking the truth, will continue to speak the truth. Will continue to raise the voice of the people of the country."

The judgment against Rahul Gandhi drew reaction from across the political spectrum with the Bharatiya Janata Party berating the Congress leader and Aam Aadmi Party speaking in his favour.

BJP Fires Salvo

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took a dig at the Congress party saying, "These days, whatever Rahul Gandhi says hurts his own party. It's not good for the country also" while BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal said today's court decision "has proved Rahul Gandhi has a habit of lying inside the Parliament." 

Meanwhile complainant Purnesh Modi said that he welcomed the court's verdict. 

Not Right To Implicate Rahul Gandhi: Arvind Kejriwal 

Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spoke in favour of Congress. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said his party has difference with Congress "but it is not right to implicate Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case like this. It is the job of the public and the opposition to ask questions. We respect the court but disagree with the decision." 

A conspiracy is being hatched to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties by prosecuting them, he alleged. 

By lodging multiple FIRs in different states the government wants to give a message to Opposition leaders "if you ask question, we will shut your mouth. This is not right," said AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj.