Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appeared before a magistrate’s court in Bhiwandi, Maharastra, to furnish a fresh surety in a 2014 defamation case, even as his visit was met with protests by the BJP workers outside the venue.The Congress leader named Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal as his new guarantor, replacing former Union Minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who had earlier stood surety when Gandhi was granted bail in 2016 and passed away in December last year.The case stems from a complaint filed by an RSS activist alleging that Gandhi, during a 2014 election rally in Maharashtra, had attributed responsibility for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.On Saturday, Gandhi was accompanied by Sapkal and senior party leaders when he reached the Thane district court. The court had directed his personal appearance to complete the formalities following the death of his previous guarantor. Representing Gandhi, advocate Narayan Iyer stated that the defence continues to repose confidence in the judicial process and expects a fair outcome. He indicated that, with the surety formalities now complete, the trial would proceed with the cross-examination of the investigating officer, while clarifying that no examination of Gandhi was scheduled during the day’s proceedings.Outside the court, BJP workers staged a black-flag protest, raising slogans against Gandhi and accusing the Congress of undermining the country’s image. The protest was linked to recent demonstrations by the Youth Congress at an AI summit in Delhi. Supporters of the ruling party alleged that Gandhi routinely opposes initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and acts in a manner detrimental to national interest.The police deployed significant security arrangements in and around the court premises to prevent any escalation between workers of rival political parties.Responding to the protest, Congress leader Sachin Sawant said the demonstration was a diversionary tactic aimed at shifting focus away from substantive national concerns. He alleged that the ruling party was resorting to political theatrics in the absence of answers on key issues, including questions surrounding India’s foreign policy engagements and trade decisions.The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) also criticised the black-flag demonstration, terming it inconsistent with democratic conduct. Its Thane city unit said that displaying such protests against a constitutional functionary holding the office of Leader of the Opposition undermined established democratic norms.
