Congress chief Kharge must get justice, we demand FIR: Rahul Gandhi on rally venue ‘purification’ in Uttarakhand
The LoP in Lok Sabha said the incident “shows the BJP-RSS’ mindset”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for the registration of a FIR under the SC/ST law following a "purification" ritual performed at a public ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where party president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier addressed a rally. Gandhi, speaking at a press conference, accused the BJP-RSS of practicing untouchability, which is banned under the Constitution.
He played a video showing Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defending the ritual, claiming the area was "polluted" by slogans. Kharge addressed the "Vijay Shankhnaad" rally at Haldwani's Ramlila ground on August 8, 2026. Two days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena reportedly conducted a shuddhikaran havan (purification ritual) at the same site.
The Congress demands that Prime Minister order the FIR registration against those involved in the purification act, asserting that Kharge will receive justice in Uttarakhand, whether it happens today or tomorrow. Gandhi emphasized that if such an act can be committed against a senior person like Kharge, imagine the potential abuse it could inflict on a young child in a school.
The BJP-RSS' mindset, according to Gandhi, is clear: they do not want Dalits to love with dignity and succeed. Union Minister and former BJP national president J.P. Nadda, during a session of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, condemned the incident and stated that an investigation would be undertaken. When asked about Kharge's remark that not many supported him, Gandhi clarified that he said "certain people didn't support" him, and many others did.
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