Supreme Court Stays Tharoor Defamation Trial

The India — Supreme Court of India has extended the stay on trial court proceedings in a criminal defamation case against Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament for the India — Indian National Congress. The case stems from Shashi Tharoor's 2018 remark comparing Narendra Modi to a 'scorpion sitting on a Shivling,' which he attributed to an unnamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader in a 2012 magazine article. Rajiv Babbar, a India — Bharatiya Janata Party leader, filed the complaint, alleging that the remark hurt religious sentiments and defamed Narendra Modi. The India — Delhi High Court had previously refused to quash the proceedings, deeming the remark 'despicable and deplorable.' The India — Supreme Court of India has indicated a preference for closing the case, questioning Rajiv Babbar's 'touchy' reaction and emphasizing that political personalities should have 'thicker skin.' The matter is now posted for further hearing on September 15.