NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that right-wing leader Vinayak Savarkar was a relative of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
In an affidavit filed in an MP/MLA Court in Pune, Rahul Gandhi accused Satyaki Savarkar, who filed a defamation lawsuit against the Congress leader, has concealing the fact that his mother, Himani, was the daughter of Gopal Godse, the real brother of Nathuram Godse, according to the Live Law.
Through advocate Milind Pawar, Gandhi noted that Satyaki presented only his paternal lineage while omitting his maternal family connections. Gandhi pointed out that Satyaki is the son of Ashok Savarkar, who was the nephew of Vinayak Savarkar.
Even in the application, there is actually no mention about maternal side, Live Law reported.
"As per information, his (Satyaki's) mother Himani is originally and by birth from Godse family. Inspite of this, the complainant has deliberately, systematically and very brilliantly avoided and suppressed to disclose the family tree from his maternal side. This is one of the most important issue in the instant case to decide merits finally before commencement to record the plea. The suppression or concealment of a material fact from the court is a serious issue considered as a fraud on the court and can lead to either dismissal of the case or denial of a relief," the application states.
The submission also points out that Savarkar was initially a co-accused in Mahatma Gandhi's murder trial but was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Gandhi's application references historical documentation showing both Godse and Savarkar as proponents of "Hindu Nation", who viewed Muslims and Christians as unsuitable for India. It notes Savarkar's advocacy of the two-nation theory from 1937, which suggested Hindus and Muslims were separate nations - a stance later endorsed by Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
"Savarkar's views articulated in 1937 and further solidified in 1943, emphasised the separation of the two communities and their distinct identities, a perspective that laid the groundwork for the eventual partition of India," the plea reads.
The application details Savarkar's documented anti-Muslim positions, citing historians who noted his promotion of anti-Muslim Hindu nationalism and his view of Muslims in Indian forces as potential security risks.
Referring to various historians, the application states, "Savarkar promoted anti-Muslim form of Hindu nationalism and saw Muslims in the Indian police and military to be 'potential traitors.' He advocated that India reduce the number of Muslims in military, police and public service and ban Muslims from owning or working in munition factories." Further referring to his 1963 book, 'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History', the application reads, "Savarkar has said that Muslims and Christians wanted to destroy Hinduism. He advocated use of rape as a political tool and accused Muslim women of actively supporting their men's atrocities against Hindu women. He had also written that young and beautiful Muslim girls should be captured, converted and presented to Maratha warriors as a reward just like Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan distributed Hindu women among his warriors."
It references his 1963 publication, 'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History', highlighting controversial positions regarding Muslims and Christians.
The application challenges the complainant's assertion that Gandhi's London statement about Savarkar's written account of assaulting a Muslim youth was defamatory. Special Judge Amol Shinde has directed Satyaki to respond to these submissions.
In an affidavit filed in an MP/MLA Court in Pune, Rahul Gandhi accused Satyaki Savarkar, who filed a defamation lawsuit against the Congress leader, has concealing the fact that his mother, Himani, was the daughter of Gopal Godse, the real brother of Nathuram Godse, according to the Live Law.
Through advocate Milind Pawar, Gandhi noted that Satyaki presented only his paternal lineage while omitting his maternal family connections. Gandhi pointed out that Satyaki is the son of Ashok Savarkar, who was the nephew of Vinayak Savarkar.
Even in the application, there is actually no mention about maternal side, Live Law reported.
"As per information, his (Satyaki's) mother Himani is originally and by birth from Godse family. Inspite of this, the complainant has deliberately, systematically and very brilliantly avoided and suppressed to disclose the family tree from his maternal side. This is one of the most important issue in the instant case to decide merits finally before commencement to record the plea. The suppression or concealment of a material fact from the court is a serious issue considered as a fraud on the court and can lead to either dismissal of the case or denial of a relief," the application states.
The submission also points out that Savarkar was initially a co-accused in Mahatma Gandhi's murder trial but was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Gandhi's application references historical documentation showing both Godse and Savarkar as proponents of "Hindu Nation", who viewed Muslims and Christians as unsuitable for India. It notes Savarkar's advocacy of the two-nation theory from 1937, which suggested Hindus and Muslims were separate nations - a stance later endorsed by Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
"Savarkar's views articulated in 1937 and further solidified in 1943, emphasised the separation of the two communities and their distinct identities, a perspective that laid the groundwork for the eventual partition of India," the plea reads.
The application details Savarkar's documented anti-Muslim positions, citing historians who noted his promotion of anti-Muslim Hindu nationalism and his view of Muslims in Indian forces as potential security risks.
Referring to various historians, the application states, "Savarkar promoted anti-Muslim form of Hindu nationalism and saw Muslims in the Indian police and military to be 'potential traitors.' He advocated that India reduce the number of Muslims in military, police and public service and ban Muslims from owning or working in munition factories." Further referring to his 1963 book, 'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History', the application reads, "Savarkar has said that Muslims and Christians wanted to destroy Hinduism. He advocated use of rape as a political tool and accused Muslim women of actively supporting their men's atrocities against Hindu women. He had also written that young and beautiful Muslim girls should be captured, converted and presented to Maratha warriors as a reward just like Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan distributed Hindu women among his warriors."
It references his 1963 publication, 'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History', highlighting controversial positions regarding Muslims and Christians.
The application challenges the complainant's assertion that Gandhi's London statement about Savarkar's written account of assaulting a Muslim youth was defamatory. Special Judge Amol Shinde has directed Satyaki to respond to these submissions.
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