Rahul Gandhi appears in Assam court

Guwahati, Sep 29: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appeared before a local court in Guwahati in connection to a defamation case.

"The (RSS) want to divide the country and my fight is against them. I am not scared and my fight against poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment will continue," Gandhi said after appearing at the the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Kamrup.

A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteer had filed a defamation suit against Gandhi last year and the court of the CJM after examining different witnesses asked Gandhi to appear before the court on September 29.

"They (Bharatiya Janata Party) want to disturb my 30 day trip to UP for the farmers. That is the reason such cases are filed against me," he said while adding that his fight will continue.

The case is regarding Gandhi's visit to the Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery on December 12 last year. He was supposed to enter the Satra before taking part in a road show, organised nearby, but did not do so and instead hit the road show directly.

Later in New Delhi, he told media persons that some RSS workers prevented him from entering the Satra. He also alleged that the RSS have incited the local women to prevent him from entering the Satra.

The volunteer filed the defamation suit not only denying the role of RSS into the incident but also alleging that Gandhi's statement to media in New Delhi had tarnished the image of Satra.

IANS