BJP Plans Contempt Plea Against Priyanka Gandhi Over Top Court's Criticism

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday decided to move a contempt of court petition against Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her criticisms of the Supreme Court's observations against her brother Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Indian Army.

The developments came as senior BJP leader Amit Malviya hit out at the Gandhis, saying the "smug entitlement of the family is not just baffling - it reeks of contempt for the judiciary". 

There was no immediate reaction from Ms Vadra or the Congress at the time of filing this report. 

Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra said: "She (Ms Vadra) has committed contempt of court by making so many statements before the media. Therefore, we are going to file a contempt petition against her because she has been making such irresponsible statements without knowing what the court intended to say (to Rahul Gandhi). The petition will be filed by the bar and the lawyers. The public of this country will not tolerate such irresponsible statements..." 

The BJP's decision came a day after Ms Vadra rallied behind Mr Gandhi over the top court's reprimand. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings against Mr Gandhi before a Lucknow court over his remarks on the army during his December 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra but censured the Congress leader, saying if he is a "true Indian", he would not say such a thing.

Reacting to the top court's remarks, Ms Vadra told reporters on Tuesday: "With due respect to the honourable judges of the Supreme Court, they do not decide who is a true Indian. It is the job of the opposition leader. It is his duty to ask questions and to challenge the government." 

In a post on X, Mr Malviya said the court must take suo motu cognisance of Ms Vadra's remarks, just as it did in the case of Nishikant Dubey" - referring to the top court's censure of the BJP MP over his remarks against it and the Chief Justice of India. 

"The law must apply equally to all. The Gandhis cannot be allowed to believe they are above it," Mr Malviya said. 

"If the Courts won't decide who is national and who is anti-national, then who will? The smug entitlement of the Gandhi family is not just baffling - it reeks of contempt for the judiciary. This brazen defiance is a direct challenge to the authority of the Supreme Court and cannot go unchecked," he added. 

On Monday, the top court censured Mr Gandhi over his alleged derogatory remarks about the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. "You are the Leader of Opposition. Why don't you say things in Parliament, why do you have to say it on social media?" 

The bench further asked, "Why do you make these statements without having any material? If you are a true Indian, you won't say such a thing."

Earlier, members of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc termed "unwarranted" the top court's observations against Mr Rahul, saying it was the responsibility of political parties to comment on issues of national interest. 

"All the leaders of the India parties agreed that the sitting judge has made an extraordinary observation which is unwarranted on the democratic rights of political parties," the Congress said in a statement. "It is the responsibility of political parties, especially the Leader of Opposition to comment on issues of national interest," it added.

The BJP took a swipe at Mr Rahul, saying the "China guru" and his party hate the Indian armed forces and that he is being remotely controlled by foreign forces. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said he hoped that the Congress leader would mend his ways after being "rebuked" by the Supreme Court for making "unsubstantiated claims".