On Friday, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis praised the Supreme Court for reprimanding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his "irresponsible" remarks on VD Savarkar. The court, led by Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan, criticized Gandhi for defamatory comments made during a 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra rally in Akola and a 2023 London speech, alleging Savarkar wrote about assaulting a Muslim man.

Satyaki Savarkar, the Hindutva icon's grandnephew, denied these claims, calling them "fictitious." Gandhi also quoted Savarkar in a 2024 Parliament session, questioning the Constitution's Indianness. The court stayed criminal proceedings but warned Gandhi against further statements on freedom fighters, threatening suo motu action. Fadnavis urged Gandhi to respect the Constitution and national icons, hoping he heeds the court's directive.