
HC rejects PIL on Rahul Gandhi's comments on Savarkar
The Supreme Court had, on May 27, rejected a similar petition filed by Phadnis, which contended that Gandhi was violating fundamental duties by making comments against Savarkar.
In the PIL filed in the high court, Phadnis complained about Gandhi's remark dated May 28, 2025, when he said that Savarkar considered Muslims and Christians as traitors. Legal proceedings were initiated to ensure that the distorted history peddled by Gandhi and his cohorts was corrected and young Indians knew true facts about their past, the petition said.
Disposing of the petition, the division bench of chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne raised questions on how the court could compel the respondent to read Phadnis' petition. It suggested the petitioner seek legal recourse by filing a defamation suit against Gandhi, if needed.
A special MP/MLA court in Pune is already hearing a criminal defamation case against Gandhi filed by Satyaki Savarkar, grand nephew of Vinayak Savarkar.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
11 minutes ago
- Hans India
Toning up BJP across the state a challenge, says Ramchandra Rao
Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party Telangana unit president N Ramchandra Rao, who assumed office on July 5, has said that the first challenge before him is to strengthen the organizational structure across the state, be they urban, rural, tribal or backward regions, as part of the party's broader vision for pan-Telangana expansion. In an exclusive interview with The Hans India, Ramachandra Rao, speaking on the party's grassroots strategy, observed: 'Earlier, the BJP was perceived as an urban-centric party. That image is changing. We are building a robust organization from the booth level upwards, ensuring even growth across the state.' He highlighted that the formation of booth committees had been completed in over 25,000 out of approximately 30,000 polling booths. Ramchandra Rao said that the party's 40-lakh-strong membership base had been driving this transformation to strengthen the party's organisational structure across the geographical areas of the state ahead of the polls to local bodies. On perceived internal differences among certain party leaders, Rao acknowledged that, with organizational expansion, came diversity. 'As the party grows, differences are natural. We are integrating leaders from varied backgrounds and resolving issues swiftly,' he said, while denying media narratives that presumed discrimination between new and old members. Referring specifically to criticism of 'discrimination against those joining the party fold' (new members), Rao firmly stated that the BJP treated all members—new or old—with equal respect. 'Some Congress and BRS leaders are trying to mislead the public by spreading rumours of bias. This is leading to the media speculations. That's not how we function,' he said, while urging the media to avoid sensationalism and instead understand the party's inclusive ethos. Answering queries on perceived ideological divisions within the party—with some claiming that their allegiance to the 'Hindutva' doctrine should outweigh other aspects and others citing the move to bring on board youth, with PM Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah as well as other national leaders believing it to be essential for ushering in transformative leadership to meet the 21st-century realities, Rao remarked, 'While Hindutva remains a core value, the BJP is also looking at bringing aspirational youth into politics to create and give next-generation political leaders to the country." Rao said that the party leadership had taken cognizance of the reported differences between the two top leaders from the state, commenting: "both are leaders at the national level and mass leaders. The party doesn't want it to further escalate. It will be resolved soon," he added. Stressing the need for unity, discipline, and ideological clarity in the party unit, he remarked: 'Whether new or experienced, every party worker should understand and uphold our core principles. Our priority remains organizational harmony and preparing for electoral success.' The BJP State unit chief clarified that there would be no alliance or understanding with the BRS. 'It is a propaganda being spread by both the Congress and the BRS to prevent the BJP from gaining momentum, as it is increasingly gaining traction from the people in their political bastions.'


Hans India
11 minutes ago
- Hans India
Raise voice against sexual harassment: Pravati
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Wednesday urged working women to fearlessly raise their voice against sexual harassment at workplaces and fight for their rights. Speaking at an orientation programme on POSH Act (2013) at the State secretariat, Lok Seva Bhawan, Parida said, 'Sexual harassment is not a stigma or taboo. If we remain silent, we empower the harasser. Saying 'no' is your right—use it. The government stands firmly with victims.' Parida, the only woman minister in the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government, also heads the Women and Child Development department. She addressed over 600 government employees, both men and women, at the session designed to raise awareness on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act. Emphasising institutional accountability, she said, 'Strict directives have been issued to set up Internal Committees in all institutions and colleges to ensure proper implementation of the Act. Action will be taken against both offenders and those making false accusations.' Parida has been the target of the Opposition BJD and Congress over a brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Balanga, under her Nimapara constituency, who was set ablaze by unidentified assailants. Taking aim at the previous BJD regime, Parida said the POSH Act had been neglected since its introduction in 2013. The orientation programme was attended by renowned lawyer Manasi Padhi, who delivered a detailed presentation on the POSH Act during two dedicated sessions. She explained the provisions, rights, responsibilities and redressal mechanisms under the Act in depth. Opposition BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, however, in an X post said, 'The Deputy Chief Minister must ensure that when a victim speaks, it is not met with institutional silence from the government or her party. Justice should not end with video messages, it must be delivered in action.' He cited the case of a student from FM College, Balasore, who reportedly faced harassment but failed to get justice due to delays and inaction by the college ICC, police and political leaders. 'The common people, along with Opposition parties, are now fighting for justice for our sister. Meanwhile, a minor girl from the area represented by Madam Pravati Parida, was set ablaze and is now fighting for her life,' Mohanty said in the social media post, adding that across Odisha, incidents of sexual harassment are being reported almost daily due to the breakdown of law and order under the BJP government. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Parida, who flew to Delhi after addressing the programme, said: 'I met the victim from Balanga, who is undergoing treatment at Delhi AIIMS. She hails from my constituency. I spoke to her family and relatives. During this visit, I discussed her health condition and treatment with the medical team and specialists providing her care. I pray to the Almighty that she recovers quickly.'


India.com
11 minutes ago
- India.com
Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE Updates: Opposition MPs Meet Jamiat Leadership To Discuss Waqf Law
Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE: In a move set to significantly reshape sports administration in the country, the National Sports Bill (also known as the Sports Governance Bill), 2025, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the third day of Parliament's Monsoon Session. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the landmark legislation, which aims to bring the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and 45 other National Sports Federations (NSFs) under a unified regulatory framework.