SC/ST Congress leaders to approach President to intervene in ‘purification' row

Congress lawmakers representing the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities have announced their intention to deliver a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting her intervention in the "purification" controversy that occurred in Uttarakhand's Haldwani following a rally led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, according to sources familiar with the situation.

A total of 32 SC and ST MPs from the party convened at the Congress headquarters to devise a collective approach to address the matter. Mallu Ravi, a Congress Lok Sabha MP from Telangana's NagarKurnool, stated that "We have sought time from President Murmu to submit a memorandum regarding the purification incident that has taken place after Kharge ji addressed a meeting.

We will request her intervention in this matter. We want her to instruct the government to act on the issue that is illegal." During the meeting, it was also decided to organize political protests against the Haldwani incident. Last week, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order an FIR against those involved in the "shuddikaran" (purification) of the Ramlila ground in Haldwani after Kharge, a Dalit, addressed a public meeting.

He emphasized that his party chief, who belongs to all castes, should take action. The Congress leader argued that this incident showcases the BJP and RSS' mindset, which does not desire a Dalit to prosper and live respectfully. The Congress believes that the issue constitutes a crime under the SC/ST Act and is seeking justice for party president Kharge.

They reiterated that their demand is not unreasonable and is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.