Sudhikaran row: BJP SC Morcha performs ‘buddhi-shuddhi’ ritual for Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI – The political controversy surrounding the alleged 'buddhi-shuddhi' purification ritual at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground, following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's rally, has escalated. The BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha performed the ritual at Dehradun's Panchayati Temple for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This occurred after the Haldwani rally, where Kharge had addressed an assembly.

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal spearheaded a massive protest march toward the state Secretariat, condemning the alleged ritual. Along with AICC co-in-charges Surendra Sharma and Manoj Yadav, and hundreds of Congress workers, Godiyal attempted to blockade the Secretariat. The police responded with a strong deployment, dispersing the protesters and detaining several workers who raised slogans.

The controversy revolves around allegations that a 'suddhikaran yajna' was conducted after Kharge's speech at the Ramlila Ground. Congress leaders have condemned the ritual, claiming it as an insult to the party president and an act of caste discrimination. The rally took place in Haldwani, followed by the 'suddhikaran' and 'havan' ceremonies.

The BJP's state president justified the ritual, stating that it was necessary as the venue had been allegedly violated in terms of religious decorum. This response has been deemed "shameless" by a BJP leader. The incident led to an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, filed by a Scheduled Caste community member who claimed the remarks hurt the community's sentiments. The ritual reportedly involved members of the Valmiki community who assisted in cleaning the venue and conducting the ritual.

The row has spread beyond Uttarakhand, with Congress units in various states protesting the alleged ritual. Rahul Gandhi and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have criticized the incident, describing it as an example of a "Manuvadi mindset" and accusing it of demeaning a Dalit leader. The BJP has denied any involvement in the ceremony, while the organizers, Shri Ram Sena, along with local BJP representatives, claimed the havan was performed due to a violation of religious decorum at the Ramlila Ground.

Union Minister JP Nadda condemned the act in Parliament, asserting that the BJP had no association with the organizers and that the matter would be investigated.