Gujarat court summons Tejashwi Yadav in defamation case over 'only Gujaratis can be thugs' remark

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• Aug 28, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, finds himself entangled in a legal dispute as he was summoned by a Gujarat court on...

Digital Desk: Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, finds himself entangled in a legal dispute as he was summoned by a Gujarat court on Monday in connection with a defamation case. The case stems from remarks made by Yadav during a media interaction in Patna on March 21, where he stated, "Only Gujaratis can be thugs in the present situation, and their fraud will be forgiven. Who will be responsible if they abscond after they are offered money belonging to the LIC and banks?"

The complaint was filed by Haresh Mehta, a social worker and businessman from Ahmedabad, who alleged that Yadav's statement defamed and humiliated Gujaratis. Mehta submitted his complaint along with evidence of the RJD leader's statement to the Ahmedabad court of Additional Metropolitan Magistrate DJ Parmar.

In the complaint, Mehta emphasized that the term "thug" carries negative connotations, suggesting a rogue, sly, and criminal person. He argued that such a comparison could lead non-Gujaratis to view Gujaratis with suspicion, causing harm to the community's reputation.

As a result of the defamation case, the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate DJ Parmar has ordered Tejashwi Yadav to appear before the court on September 22, 2023, to address the allegations against him.

This case follows a similar incident earlier this year when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced legal consequences for his comments. In March, a Surat court sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail for his remarks about the "Modi surname." His conviction led to his disqualification as a Lok Sabha member. However, on August 4, the Supreme Court stayed his conviction, subsequently reinstating him as the Wayanad MP.

Tejashwi Yadav's case is expected to garner significant attention, given its political implications and the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression and defamation in India. As the legal proceedings unfold, the nation will be closely watching to see how this case develops and whether it sets any legal precedents regarding politicians' statements and their consequences.