Ajay Kumar at 18:03, 7 August 2023

2023-08-07T18:03:11Z

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{{Short description|Removal of a member of the Lok Sabha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi
| image =
| caption =
| date = 24 March 2023
| location = [[Parliament of India]], New Delhi, India
| cause = Conviction of [[Rahul Gandhi]] on charges of defamation
| outcome =
}}

[[Rahul Gandhi]], the leader of [[Indian National Congress]], was disqalified as member of the Lower House of the [[Indian parliament|Indian Parliament]] ([[Lok Sabha]]) on 24 March 2023. The disqualifiaction followed a conviction by an Indian court, which sentenced Gandhi with two-year imprisonment, on the accusation of defaming prime minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s surname.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dhillon |first=Amrit |date=2023-03-23 |title=Rahul Gandhi found guilty of defaming Narendra Modi |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/23/rahul-gandhi-found-guilty-of-defaming-narendra-modi-india-prime-minister-remark-2019 |access-date=2023-03-30 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-23 |title=Rahul Gandhi: India's Congress leader sentenced to jail for Modi 'thieves' remark |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65048602 |access-date=2023-03-30}}</ref> The conviction and defamation raised an alarm about the state of democracy in India and were seen as a move to silence dissent and political opposition before the upcoming [[Next Indian general election|2024 general elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Travelli |first=Alex |last2=Raj |first2=Suhasini |date=2023-03-24 |title=Expelling Rahul Gandhi From Parliament, Modi Allies Thwart a Top Rival |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/world/asia/india-gandhi-modi.html |access-date=2023-03-31 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In August 2023, the [[Supreme Court of India]] stayed his conviction. This would allow him to contest the next election. His reinstatement as the member of parliament is awaited.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/last-chance-for-acquittal-rahul-gandhi-tells-supreme-court-in-hearing-on-modi-surname-case-4268261/amp/1#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16911422712815&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com| title=Rahul Gandhi To Be MP Again, Can Contest Polls After}}</ref>

==Conviction and disqualification==
On 13 April 2019, during a political rally in [[Kolar]], [[Karnataka|Karnataka, India]] before the [[2019 Indian general election|Indian general election]], Rahul Gandhi remarked in Hindi saying "Why do all thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names?"<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Rahul Gandhi disqualified as Lok Sabha MP after conviction: How the process works |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/rahul-gandhi-can-avert-disqualification-as-mp-if-conviction-stayed-8515487/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Explained: Rahul Gandhi’s conviction, likely disqualification and the SC verdict that changed it all |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/explained-rahul-gandhis-conviction-likely-disqualification-and-the-sc-verdict-that-changed-it-all/3020071/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2019 Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi: Explained In 5 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-2019-defamation-case-in-which-rahul-gandhi-is-found-guilty-5-points-3885809 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> A criminal defamation case was filed by [[Purnesh Modi]], a [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from [[Surat West Assembly constituency|Surat West]], who claimed that Gandhi had defamed all people with the surname Modi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phadke |first=Manasi |date=2023-03-23 |title=Tea-seller to MLA, close to PM — all about Purnesh Modi, whose complaint led to Rahul Gandhi’s conviction |url=https://theprint.in/politics/tea-seller-to-mla-close-to-pm-all-about-purnesh-modi-whose-complaint-led-to-rahul-gandhis-conviction/1467341/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 16 July 2019, the Surat court exempted Gandhi from personal appearance in court due to short notice.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-16 |title=Rahul Gandhi exempted from personal appearance in 'Modi surname' defamation case |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-exempted-from-personal-appearance-in-modi-surname-defamation-case/articleshow/70243428.cms |access-date=2023-05-04 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> On 10 October, Rahul Gandhi pleaded [[Not guilty (plea)|not guilty]] in the Surat Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-10 |title=In Surat, Rahul Gandhi pleads not guilty to defamation charge |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-surat-rahul-gandhi-pleads-not-guilty-to-defamation-charge-on-all-thieves-have-modi-surname-remark/story-BCszUECHVtCsWdOoYMuIwI.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-10 |title=‘Modi-thieves’ remark: Rahul Gandhi appears in Surat court, denies charges |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-modi-surname-defamation-case-surat-court-bjp-6061810/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Gandhi recorded his statements and answered questions in front of the local Court first on 24 June 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don't remember precise words, Rahul Gandhi tells court on defamation case over Modi surname remark |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/was-sarcasm-rahul-gandhi-surat-court-defamation-case-modi-surname-remark-1818818-2021-06-24 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and then again on 29 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-29 |title=Modi surname remark: Rahul Gandhi appears before Surat court to record statements in defamation case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/surat/modi-surname-remark-rahul-gandhi-surat-court-record-statements-defamation-case-7597901/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> During these appearances, Gandhi stated in front of the court that he did not mean to defame any community and that his statements were [[sarcasm]] for the purpose of the elections.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Scroll Staff |title=Rahul Gandhi denies making defamatory remarks about ‘Modi’ surname |url=https://scroll.in/latest/998402/rahul-gandhi-denies-making-defamatory-remark-on-modi-surname |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 23 February 2022, the Surat Court rejected Purnesh Modi's request to make Rahul Gandhi "personally explain" the contents of the [[Compact disc|CD]] and [[USB flash drive|pen drive]] evidence submitted by Modi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rahul Gandhi Gets Court Notice In "Modi Surname" Remarks Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-hc-notice-to-rahul-in-modi-surname-remarks-case-2826620 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> Modi appealed this rejection in the [[Gujarat High Court]] and was able to obtain a stay on the hearings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court Extends Stay On Proceedings Against Rahul Gandhi In Defamation Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-high-court-extends-stay-on-proceedings-against-rahul-gandhi-in-defamation-case-2848729 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

On 23 March 2023, the Surat court convicted Rahul Gandhi and sentenced him to two years in prison stating that Gandhi "has accepted the controversial facts". He was given 30 days to appeal his sentence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Rahul convicted in defamation case, Congress scrambles to keep him in House |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rahul-gandhi-surat-court-defamation-case-guilty-modi-surname-8513881/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

On 24 March, one day after the conviction, Lok Sabha [[Secretary General of the Lok Sabha|Secretary General]] Utpal Kumar Singh notified that Rahul Gandhi would stand disqualified as the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] from [[Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency|Wayanad constituency]] from 23 March, the date of his conviction, under the Section 8 of the [[Disqualification of convicted representatives in India|Representation of the People Act, 1951]] (RPA).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Rahul Gandhi disqualified from Lok Sabha day after conviction |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahukl-gandhi-conviction-disqualified-lok-sabha-mp-8516551/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

On 3 April, Gandhi was able to appeal and obtain [[bail]] from the Surat Court with the hearing for stay posted to 13 April.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-03 |title=Defamation case: Rahul Gandhi gets bail till April 13, 2-year sentence stayed; appeal against conviction to be heard on May 3 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/defamation-case-surat-court-extends-rahul-gandhis-bail-till-april-13-appeal-against-conviction-to-be-heard-on-may-3/articleshow/99210617.cms |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rahul Gandhi Gets Bail, Gujarat Court Pauses 2-Year Sentence |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-interim-bail-hearing-in-gujarat-court-on-his-appeal-against-conviction-on-april-13-3916257 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rahul Gandhi firm after bail, key hearing next week |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rahul-gandhi-firm-after-bail-key-hearing-next-week/cid/1927042 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Rahul Gandhi’s bail extended in defamation case; next hearing on April 13 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-granted-bail-extension-in-surat-defamation-case-next-hearing-on-april-13-congress-releases-statement-rahulgandhi-suratcourt-defamationcase-congress-bjp-101680517616313.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> The court ruled on 20 April and rejected the request to stay the conviction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No Relief For Rahul Gandhi In Defamation Case, Surat Court Rejects Request |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-court-rejects-rahul-gandhis-request-to-put-on-hold-conviction-in-defamation-case-3963707 |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-20 |title=Rahul Gandhi’s plea dismissed, Congress says ‘contrary to all principles of law’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-surat-court-plea-dismissed-congress-reaction-8567484/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2023, Gandhi's appeal was dismissed by the Gujarat High Court. The court, while rejecting his appeal, stated that Gandhi's conviction was deemed "just and proper." In response, the Congress party announced that Gandhi would appeal the order in the Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-07 |title=Rahul Gandhi to move Supreme Court after Gujarat High Court dismisses appeal in defamation case |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66130029 |access-date=2023-07-07}}</ref>

On 4 August, Gandhi's conviction was stayed by the Supreme Court of India pending appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NETWORK |first=LIVELAW NEWS |date=4 August 2023 |title=Supreme Court -Rahul Gandhi's Plea To Stay Conviction In Defamation Case Over 'Modi Surname' Remark- LIVE UPDATES |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/rahul-gandhi-supreme-court-defamation-modi-surname-stay-conviction-gujarat-high-court-234346 |access-date=4 August 2023 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref>

== Domestic response ==
The Indian National Congress observed the day of disqualification as a "black day for Indian democracy"<ref name=":3" /> which was re-iterated by other opposition parties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2023-03-24 |title=KCR calls it a black day in the history of Indian democracy |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/kcr-calls-it-a-black-day-in-the-history-of-indian-democracy-1503165895.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=The Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2023-04-20 |title=Black Day for Indian democracy: Mehbooba on dismissal of Rahul Gandhi's appeal |url=https://theprint.in/india/black-day-for-indian-democracy-mehbooba-on-dismissal-of-rahul-gandhis-appeal/1529689/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

The conviction and disqualification prompted opposition leaders to take a unified stand; 14 major opposition parties jointly moved to the [[Supreme Court of India]] and filed a petition seeking judicial intervention against the alleged misuse of investigative agencies by the Modi government to target opposition parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification May Be a Turning Point |url=https://thewire.in/politics/why-rahul-gandhis-disqualification-may-be-a-turning-point |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name="indianexpress.com"/> The petition was dismissed by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud|D.Y. Chandrachud]] who stated that the Supreme Court could look into individual cases but it would not lay down separate guidelines for politicians by extrapolating statistics and directed them instead to seek political solutions in response to the contention that skewed application of the law had created an uneven playing field leading to shrinking of the space for opposition.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Supreme Court junks plea by 14 Oppn parties against ‘misuse’ of CBI & ED by Centre |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-junks-plea-14-oppn-parties-against-misuse-cbi-ed-centre-8540217/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The opposition parties include the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]], [[Aam Aadmi Party]], [[Janata Dal (United)]], [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]], [[Communist Party of India]], [[Samajwadi Party]], [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]], [[Shiv Sena (UBT)]], [[Trinamool Congress]], [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]], [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], [[Nationalist Congress Party]] and [[Bharat Rashtra Samithi]].<ref name=":2" />

==International reactions==
The Democrat co-chair of the India Caucus in the [[US House of Representatives]], [[Ro Khanna]], described the removal of Gandhi from parliament as a "deep betrayal" of India’s "deepest values".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Rahul Gandhi's Expulsion 'Betrayal' of India's Values: US Lawmaker |url=https://thewire.in/politics/rahul-gandhis-expulsion-betrayal-of-indias-values-us-lawmaker |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Wire}}</ref> US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the United States was closely watching Rahul Gandhi's case and would continue to engage with the Indian government and highlight the importance of democratic principles and human rights, such as [[freedom of expression]].<ref name=":3">{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-watching-rahul-gandhis-case-in-indian-courts-official/article66669555.ece | title=U.S. Watching Rahul Gandhi's case in Indian courts: Official | newspaper=The Hindu | date=28 March 2023 }}</ref> US senator [[Chris Van Hollen]] separately commented that the news of the disqualification was "alarming".<ref name=":1" />

Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Berlin had "taken note" of the verdict, and was watching the next steps, including his ability to appeal the verdict and whether the "suspension of his mandate" was justified.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-30 |title=Germany ‘takes note’ of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Parliament, says ‘expect democratic principles to be applied’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/world/rahul-gandhi-defamation-case-germany-reacts-8527296/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukhopadhyay |first=Sounak |date=2023-03-30 |title=Germany says ‘democratic principles’ apply to Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/germany-reacts-to-rahul-gandhi-s-disqualification-11680146984928.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref> Peter Stano, the EU’s Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said, "the EU is following closely the case against Rahul Gandhi and his subsequent dismissal from the Parliament."<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU Says it Is Closely Following Case Against Rahul Gandhi and His 'Dismissal' From Parliament |url=https://thewire.in/world/rahul-gandhi-case-disqualification-eu |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Disqualification of convicted representatives in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Rahul Gandhi]]
[[Category:2023 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Parliament of India]]
[[Category:March 2023 events in India]]

Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 18:03, 7 August 2023