On 13 April 2019, in a Karnataka rally, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi allegedly made a defamatory allegation against the Modi community. On 23 March 2023, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat convicted him for defamation under Sections 499 & 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and sentenced him to two years in prison. The judgment came upon a complaint filed by Gujarat MLA Purneshbhai Ishwarbhai Modi, who claimed to be a victim of the defamatory statements along with 13 Crore other persons belonging to the Modi community.