Karnataka Council flays ‘Manuvaadi’ ritual after Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally

On Monday, the Karnataka Legislative Council passed a resolution condemning a purification ritual performed in Uttarakhand where Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a public meeting earlier in the month. Moving the resolution, Congress MLC H Jakkappanavar called the act a violation of constitutional values. The ritual, involving homa and havan to purify the location where Kharge spoke, was deemed as a form of untouchability and an insult to India's Constitution.

The resolution was passed by voice vote, despite protests from the Opposition. Meanwhile, BJP MLC alleged that reinducting Nagendra into the Cabinet was a betrayal to the Scheduled Tribes community. The incident took place at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan, where Kharge spoke at a Congress rally on August 8. Later, in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge highlighted his feelings of untouchability during the ritual, conducted by a right-wing group on August 10.