Rahul gets bail, accuses RSS of ‘dividing’ nation

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, September 29

After being released by a court here today on a Personal Recognisance (PR) bond in a criminal defamation suit filed against him by the RSS, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today attacked Sangh parivar’s principal entity criticising RSS’ “divisive” ideology and vowed to continue with his tirade for the cause of downtrodden and weaker sections of the country.

Rahul said he was opposed to the RSS ideology that intended to divide the country, which is now being governed by a handful of people.

“I am for the unity of the country and working for uplift of downtrodden, weaker and deprived sections of the country irrespective of their religion,” he said.

All senior leaders of the party, including former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, stood by Rahul when he came to appear before the court of chief judicial magistrate here in response to a summon issued to him in connection with a criminal defamation suit filed against him by the RSS.

Rahul said: “I work for the suppressed, downtrodden, unemployed and poor farmers of the country. These cases are filed against me to prevent me from working for the weaker and deprived sections. But I will not be deterred by such design.”

The CJM court here released Rahul on a bond of Rs50,000 and fixed next date of hearing on November 5. RSS counsel Bijon Mohajan said the Congress vice-president did not apply before the court to spare him from personal appearance in the case during further hearing. Rahul will be asked to submit his explanation of the offence during the next hearing.

The hearing was conducted amid tight security in and around the court. Coming out of the court, Rahul drove to Rajiv Bhawan to address a meeting of over 300 senior state party leaders. He exhorted the Congressmen to think positive and continue to work for the weaker and deprived sections irrespective of their religion, caste and creed.

Anjan Bora, a “Bibhag Chanchalak” of the RSS, had filed the criminal defamation case against Rahul, stating that he (Rahul) had tarnished the image of the RSS by saying he was not allowed by the members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery, in Assam during a pada yatra on December 12, 2015. Rahul, however, paid obeisance at 16th century monastery later on the same day.