Cong. organises protest rally after Rahul Gandhi booked over ‘purification’ remark

The Congress party organized a protest rally in Srikakulam district following the filing of a case against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The incident occurred after Gandhi made remarks regarding a "purification" ritual conducted at Haldwani's Ramlila ground, which allegedly offended a Scheduled Caste complainant. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) high command called for the protest, with Congress leaders gathering to voice their discontent.

Sanapala Annaji Rao, the president of the Srikakulam District Congress Committee, led the rally and accused the NDA government of encouraging "false complaints" and cases against Gandhi, who had opposed "anti-people" policies. Rao emphasized that several RSS and BJP activists had participated in purifying the ground, and that it was an act of untouchability.

He further alleged that Rahul Gandhi had demanded an FIR against those involved, but it was surprisingly the Uttarakhand police who filed the case against Gandhi after receiving a complaint from local leader Amit Kumar at the behest of BJP leaders.

Rao highlighted that Rahul Gandhi consistently sought unity among the people and did not encourage social tensions, as suggested in the FIR.