Once again, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fallen into legal snares. A case was filed against him in the Muzaffarpur CJM court over his comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chhath festival during the Bihar election campaign. Advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha filed this complaint, with the court set to hear the matter on November 11.
What Did Rahul Gandhi Say?
Advocate Ojha alleges that Rahul Gandhi made objectionable remarks about Prime Minister Modi at an electoral rally. During a rally in Muzaffarpur with Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi purportedly said that the Prime Minister is only interested in votes. If 200 people in the crowd demanded he dance in exchange for votes, he would willingly perform Bharatanatyam.
The complaint also claims that Rahul Gandhi referred to the Chhath festival as a 'drama,' hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus and Biharis. Ojha stated it as a punishable offense under sections 298, 356(2), 352, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
This Is Not Rahul Gandhi's First Case
Numerous cases have previously been filed against Rahul Gandhi in the Muzaffarpur court.
February 2025: Comment on President Droupadi Murmu
Advocate Sudhir Ojha lodged a case against Rahul, Sonia, and Priyanka Gandhi, alleging they insulted the nation's highest constitutional office with remarks about President Droupadi Murmu. Sonia Gandhi's post-speech comment about the President being tired, and Rahul calling the speech 'boring,' were deemed inappropriate under various sections of the IPC.
July 2024: Allegation of Hurting Hindu Sentiments
On July 2, 2024, another case was filed in the Muzaffarpur CJM court by Divyanshu Kishore from a Hindu organization. The complaint accused Rahul Gandhi of intentionally offending Hinduism with his remarks in Parliament, claiming that those identifying as Hindus spread hatred and violence 24/7. This case was filed under sections 299, 302, and 356(1) of the IPC.
March 2019: 'Masood Azhar Ji' Remark
In March 2019, a case was filed against Rahul Gandhi for addressing terrorist Masood Azhar as 'Masood Azhar Ji.' Activist Tamanna Hashmi registered a case in the Muzaffarpur court, alleging sedition (section 124A) among others. Hashmi argued that Gandhi insulted the entire nation by using an honorific for a terrorist.
Following the Pulwama attack, Rahul Gandhi remarked that over 40 soldiers had been martyred, and questioned whether the one responsible, Masood Azhar Ji, was remembered. He further noted that Ajit Doval had personally seen Azhar off during a previous government's tenure.
August 2018: Accusation of Damaging National Image
On August 25, 2018, Rahul Gandhi faced a defamation case. Advocate Sudhir Ojha claimed that Gandhi's statements in Germany and Britain alleging that terrorism in India was rising due to unemployment had tarnished the nation's image, filing the case under IPC sections 153B (damaging national unity), 500 (defamation), and 504 (provocation leading to breach of peace).
