Kharge seeks FIR over Haldwani ‘purification’ ritual
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Union Leader JP Nadda to initiate a First Information Report (FIR) over a purification ritual held at Ram Leela Maidan in Haldwani following his public address in the area. In a letter to Nadda, Kharge reminded him of an earlier assurance and demanded action from the Uttarakhand government.
Despite 24 days having passed since the incident, no FIR has been registered against those allegedly responsible. Kharge emphasized that this issue transcends personal matters and is a broader concern affecting millions. He called for the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to ensure the registration of an FIR against the individuals and organizations involved.
The controversy originated from a Congress rally in Haldwani on August 8, which preceded the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. A right-wing group subsequently conducted the purification ritual at the venue, drawing criticism from Congress leaders. Kharge accused the ritual of being caste-based and questioned its compatibility with democratic values.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi dismissed the allegations, claiming a lack of caste implications and accusing Congress of attempting to divide Hindu society. On August 30, an FIR was filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his comments regarding the purification ritual, citing potential violations of the SC/ST Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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