Anup Kumar Sinha
THAT a section of the press is running a campaign of calummy against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates is wellknown. Now, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM), Delhi has given credence to this fact by admitting a complaint against The Statesman of Delhi. The widely circulated daily in its January 15, 2000 issue carried an article purportedly making defamatory remarks about
the RSS.
An article titled “RSS and Service” by A.G. Noorani, a columnist with Leftist leanings “related” the members of RSS with the assailants of Jesus Christ. Commenting on the BJP-led Government, the article says : A decade later, comes the edict to Gujarat, let the RSS enter the services. This, from a government, which disavows a “hidden agenda” and speaks of the NDA's programme. But if it can go so far when it is hopelessly dependent on its allies, what will the BJP not do if it acquires a majority in its own right? As Jesus Christ warned the wailing women of Jerusalem, as he was being led away, “if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (St. Luke; 23:31). The article also carried an illustration by one Debabrata, depicting RSS members as murderers of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Hurt” by the remarks the RSS filed a complaint against the big daily, including its Editor C.R. Irani, the columnist A.G. Noorani and Debabrata, the author of the “defamatory” sketch.
Filing the complaint, Ramesh Chand Gupta, Sahkaryavah, RSS, Delhi, said that the article has “directly and indirectly lowered the moral and intellectual character” of the organisation and has “lowered the credibility of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the eyes of the society”.
The complaint charged the accused to “have made, published and printed the defamatory article and sketch with the intention to harm the RSS with the knowledge that such imputation shall harm the reputation of the RSS”.
Making the submission Rajesh K. Gogna, advocate for the complainant urged the court to “take cognizance of the act as per Sections 499, 500 and 501 of the Indian Penal Code”. Later, talking to Organiser, Gogna said that it is obvious that the accused have “intentionally and deliberately” defamed the RSS.
Taking cognizance, the CMM, Delhi, Tej Singh Kashyap issued summons against the accused. C.R. Irani, A.G. Noorani and others will now face trial for the offence under Sections 499, 500 and 501 of the IPC.
