Spokespersons: Shri Ashok Gehlot, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shri Anand Sharma and Shri Jairam Ramesh: The issue is not about summoning or questioning, but it is important for everyone to understand that India, being a rule-based, rule-governed country and a Constitutional democracy, while respecting and implementing the laws, must also respect the fundamental rights, not only of liberty- justice, but also the right to reputation and privacy.

Being a student of law, I have believed in and I still subscribed rule of law, not rule by law. What has become a disturbing trend that laws are being more and more being made draconian, which threaten the very foundational values of Indian Constitution.

The facts have been in public domain. For almost one decade, those facts are there in the files of all the courts, the competent court in Patiala House, which took cognizance, the Trial Court, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. So, it is not something which is unknown.

Shri Rahul Gandhi was called in question for over 50 hours, over 5 days then for the same fact, same matter for third consecutive day to call Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji. We have to bear in mind her age and state of health.

In the democracy, we can be ideological opponents, because no democracy can survive let alone thrive, without a strong opposition, but ideological opponents can never be and must never be in a democracy treated as personally by anyone.

As we are going to celebrate the 75 years of our freedom, I would only appeal and urge the government and all concerned to uphold the majesty of Parliament, the rule of law and also the very values which our founding fathers gave to uphold democracy and the right and dignity of all Indian citizens. Wednesday, July 27, 2022.