A Bihar man, Mukesh Chaudhary, has lodged a complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a Patna court. He alleges that Gandhi’s recent remarks caused him emotional shock, leading to financial loss. According to Chaudhary, the shock made him drop a milk bucket valued at ₹250. The unusual complaint was filed in the Rosera sub-division civil court of Bihar’s Samastipur district.

Chaudhary explained that he was deeply disturbed by Rahul Gandhi’s statement during the inauguration of the Congress Party’s new headquarters in New Delhi on January 15. Gandhi criticized the BJP and RSS, saying, “The BJP and RSS have captured every single institution, and we are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian State itself.”

Chaudhary alleged, “I was so shocked by this threat to the nation’s sovereignty that the bucket of milk I was carrying, containing five liters priced at ₹50 per liter, slipped from my hands.” In his plea, Chaudhary invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 152, which pertains to sedition.

Legal and Political Fallout

The unusual nature of the case has raised eyebrows, and no confirmation has yet been given on whether the court has admitted Chaudhary’s plea. However, this is not Gandhi’s only legal trouble stemming from his remarks.

In Assam, Monjit Chetia filed a separate FIR, accusing Gandhi of making statements that could harm the country’s unity and integrity. Chetia alleged that Gandhi’s words attempted to delegitimize the state’s authority and promote a narrative that could incite unrest or separatist sentiments. The FIR cited Sections 152 and 197(1)(d) of the BNS, which address acts endangering the nation’s sovereignty.

The BJP quickly condemned Gandhi’s comments. BJP president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticized him, saying, “They neither know history nor care about it. I have said many times that their speechwriters write anything, and they just read it.”

The Context of Gandhi’s Remarks

Gandhi’s controversial statement came during an event marking the inauguration of the Congress’ new headquarters in Delhi. He was responding to recent remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who claimed that India’s true independence began with the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

In his speech, Gandhi accused the BJP and RSS of undermining democratic institutions and controlling key pillars of governance. The comments sparked a political row, with BJP leaders accusing him of threatening national unity and the Congress defending Gandhi’s right to criticize government policies and ideology.

Public Reaction

While the complaint by Mukesh Chaudhary has drawn widespread attention, it has also sparked debates about the extent to which public figures can be held accountable for their speeches. Legal experts have expressed skepticism about whether such cases can proceed in court, citing the subjective nature of emotional distress claims linked to political speeches.

This incident highlights the growing trend of political rhetoric leading to legal confrontations, reflecting the polarized political landscape in India.