New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS): Defending party Vice President Rahul Gandhi on his comments on the RSS, the Congress said on Thursday this was an "ideological battle" for him and the party stood by its leader.

"This is a fight of principle and ideology. Both Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party will continue to fight this ideological battle," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"On March 6, 2014, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had said in a public speech in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, that 'RSS people had killed Mahatma Gandhi'," Surjewala added.

Gandhi's lawyer Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court that the Congress Vice President stood by what he had said about the RSS and the 1948 assassination of the Mahatma.

Rahul Gandhi withdrew a petition before the apex court that had sought quashing of the defamation proceeding in a Maharashtra trial court. 

"There were misconceptions being raised by people of BJP and RSS in the public domain. On clear, specific and unequivocal instructions of Rahul Gandhi, his counsel Kapil Sibal, told the apex court that Rahul Gandhi stands by his statement on murder of Mahatma Gandhi," said Surjewala. 

"Rahul Gandhi had said it earlier and will repeat his statement in future as he believes that this is the truth of this nation, a historical truth that cannot be denied," he added.

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday told the Supreme Court that he stood by his remarks blaming the RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and said he was ready to face a trial for alleged defamation of the ideological parent of the ruling BJP.