Rahul Gandhi Seeks FIR Over Kharge ‘Purification’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded an FIR and arrests over a “shuddhikaran” or purification ritual conducted at a public ground in Uttarakhand after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there, alleging that the episode amounted to caste-based discrimination and untouchability.
Rahul Gandhi Demands FIR Over Kharge Venue Ritual
Addressing a press conference on August 29, Gandhi called for action under laws protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that those responsible face legal proceedings.
Gandhi alleged that the incident reflected a discriminatory mindset towards Kharge, who belongs to the Dalit community. No court or investigating authority has established that the ritual was motivated by Kharge’s caste.
‘Purification’ Followed Haldwani Congress Rally
Kharge addressed the Congress’s “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on August 8.
Two days later, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas reportedly conducted a havan and sprinkled Gangajal at the venue as part of what they described as a purification ceremony.
The organisation said the ritual was conducted because allegedly objectionable slogans and remarks concerning Hinduism had been made during the Congress programme. Congress has disputed that explanation and linked the ceremony to caste discrimination.
BJP Leaders Give Differing Responses
Kharge earlier raised the controversy in the Rajya Sabha, saying the incident had humiliated him and made him experience the “sting of untouchability”.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda condemned the episode and said an investigation would be conducted, while maintaining that BJP workers were not involved.
Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt later defended the purification ritual, arguing that activities during the Congress event had affected the sanctity of the Ramlila ground.
