Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that he may be facing a threat to his life from "persons subscribing to the ideology of Vinayak Savarkar" in connection with a criminal defamation case filed against him over his remarks against Savarkar.
Advocated Milind Pawar, in an application filed before the Special MP/MLA Court in Pune on Wednesday, cited threat letters issued against the Congress leader by leaders belonging to the BJP and the lineage of the complainant against Gandhi said "there exists a clear, reasonable, and substantial apprehension that Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting by persons subscribing to the ideology of Vinayak Savarkar."
Gandhi has often criticised Savarkar's legacy, calling the freedom fighter, revered by many, a "receiver of pension from Britishers."
#WATCH| "He(Rahul Gandhi) keeps making comments on Savarkarji.........This is being done because of the upcoming Karnataka elections, to polarise the Muslim voters........":Ranjit Savarkar, Grandson of Veer Savarkar on Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/JsMSyzsIdv
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023
Pawar cited the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant's lineage, and the "prevailing political climate" in the country to justify the claim that Gandhi may be facing a threat to his life.
"The complainant himself has asserted descent from the associates of Mahatma Gandhi's assassins. In view of the grave history associated with such lineage, the Defence harbours a genuine and reasonable apprehension that history must not be permitted to repeat itself," LiveLaw quoted the written statement by the lawyer as saying.
Pointing out that Gandhi has been raising his voice for the poor and the marginalised, the advocate pointed out that it cannot be ruled out that caste-based extremists, politically motivated industrialists, Hindutva supporters, and those willing to subvert constitutional governance may harbour animosity towards the Congress leader.
