Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday, June 25, 2026, drew public attention to two separate court apologies tendered by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi — one before the Supreme Court of India over remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and another filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court over remarks targeting the son of senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Context

Rijiju's post on X combined a Hindi observation with an English news update. In the Hindi portion, he noted that Rahul Gandhi had 'already sought an unconditional apology from the Supreme Court for levelling false allegations against the Prime Minister.' He then added in English: 'Now, Rahul Gandhi ji files apology, expresses 'regret' in Madhya Pradesh High Court over remarks against Shivraj Chouhan's son.'

The post frames both developments together, presenting them as a pattern of the Congress leader facing judicial accountability over political statements directed at BJP figures.

Policy Backdrop

Defamation litigation involving political leaders has been a recurring feature of Indian public life. Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court in 2023 in a criminal defamation case related to remarks about the 'Modi surname'; the Supreme Court subsequently stayed that sentence, allowing him to continue as a Member of Parliament.

The broader pattern of criminal defamation complaints between leaders of major parties has repeatedly drawn courts into adjudicating the boundaries of political speech. Such cases often carry implications for parliamentary eligibility, public standing, and the conduct of electoral campaigns.

Stakeholders and Impact

Rahul Gandhi remains one of the most prominent faces of the opposition Indian National Congress and has been at the centre of multiple high-profile legal disputes with BJP leaders. Any court-directed apology or expression of regret carries political weight, as it can be — and frequently is — deployed by rivals to question a leader's credibility.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a senior BJP figure who served as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister for multiple terms, retains significant influence within the party. References to his family in political discourse have previously generated controversy. The Madhya Pradesh High Court proceedings add a state-level judicial dimension to what has largely been a nationally watched political dispute.

For the Congress, managing simultaneous defamation proceedings in different courts presents both a legal and a communications challenge, particularly as the party seeks to consolidate its opposition positioning ahead of future electoral contests.

What's Next

Further orders from the Madhya Pradesh High Court on the filed apology will be closely watched by both legal observers and political analysts. It remains to be seen whether the court accepts the expression of regret or directs additional steps. Any escalation to the Supreme Court would bring the matter back into the national spotlight.

The twin apologies, as highlighted by Rijiju, are likely to remain a talking point for the ruling BJP as it seeks to frame the opposition's conduct in the public arena. How the Congress responds — legally and politically — will shape the next chapter of what has become an extended judicial-political confrontation between the two parties.