A day after the Supreme Court rapped Rahul Gandhi in connection with the defamation case filed against him for his remark on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday took a swipe at the Congress vice-president and questioned his IQ.
Speaking to ANI here, BJP leader Shaina NC said it was not the first time that Rahul Gandhi had shown his "immaturity", adding that his remarks on the Sangh were "childish".
"Every time he comments on the RSS raises a question on his IQ. What he has said amounts to defamation. The honourable court has asked him to come and testify in a court of law. If he feels incompetent of answering serious questions then he mustn't raise them either," she said.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, echoing similar views, said the apex court had rapped the Congress vice-president for his ignorance of history.
"Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's ignorance of historical fact and his eagerness to spread lies among the people has been spanked by the Supreme Court," Patra told ANI.
"But despite a hit by the Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi instead of tendering an apology to RSS and the people of this country, in a very brazen and arrogant manner still continues to stay defiant and does not want to apologise," he added.
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Meanwhile, the RSS on Tuesday said that the Congress vice-president must tender an apology otherwise he would have to frequently visit the Supreme Court.
"If he has even a bit of respect for the court, he will apologise. If he doesn't apologise, he will have to frequently visit the court. Let me tell him, his party member Sitaram Kesri had associated the RSS with the murder of Gandhi and he had to apologise. Another leader Arjun Singh had to frequently visit the court. A renowned columnist A.G. Noorani had to apologise," RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha told ANI.
The grand old party on Tuesday said that Gandhi would not tender an apology over his remarks against the RSS.
A Bench, led by Justice Dipak Misra, yesterday said Rahul will have to face trial for criminal defamation and prove his innocence. The court also slammed the Congress vice-president for making such "collective" remarks.