Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Karnataka minister condemns 'purification' ritual after Kharge visit
A very important leader from one political group visited a town called Haldwani for a meeting.
After he left, some people cleaned the ground where he stood in a special ceremony.
The leader belongs to the Dalit community, and the cleaning ceremony was done because of that.
A minister from another political group said this was very unfair and hurtful.
He said it shows that some people still treat others badly because of the caste they are born into.
He reminded everyone that India reached the South Pole of the Moon, but some people still will not touch a Dalit.
He asked the Prime Minister to take strong legal action against the people who did this.
He also asked Dalit members of the ruling party to think about what they are supporting.
The minister believes everyone should be treated with dignity and equality.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara condemned a reported 'purification' ritual at a Haldwani, Uttarakhand venue after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge visited it.
Parameshwara said the incident shows caste discrimination and untouchability still exist in India.
He contrasted India's Moon South Pole landing with society's reported hesitation to touch a Dalit.
He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensure cases are registered and stringent punishment is given to those responsible.
He also appealed to Dalit and oppressed community members in the BJP to introspect on whose interests they serve.
Asked whether India under PM Modi is being taken back to the era of Manusmriti.
- Who
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara condemned the incident; Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was the target of the reported ritual.
- What
- A reported 'purification' ritual was conducted at a venue after Kharge's visit because he is Dalit; Parameshwara called those responsible 'anti-national'.
- When
- Kharge visited the venue on August 8; Parameshwara's condemnation came in a statement on August 13.
- Where
- Ram Leela Ground, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India; the condemnation was issued in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- Parameshwara said the act was caste-based humiliation showing that caste discrimination and untouchability persist in India.
Anti-discrimination / Congress-aligned view
Tradition / ruling-party-aligned view
Nature of the ritual
Anti-discrimination / Congress-aligned view
The 'purification' ritual was caste-based humiliation and untouchability, an 'unconstitutional' and 'anti-national' act showing caste discrimination persists.
Tradition / ruling-party-aligned view
The ritual could be defended as a traditional religious cleaning practice following a political visit, rather than an act of caste discrimination.
Legal response
Anti-discrimination / Congress-aligned view
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should ensure cases are registered against those responsible and that they face stringent punishment.
Tradition / ruling-party-aligned view
The demand for legal action may be viewed by supporters of the ruling party as politically motivated and an overreach into religious practice.
- Controversy
- Alleged 'purification' ritual at venue after Dalit leader's visit
- Venue
- Ram Leela Ground, Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Event Date
- August 8, 2026
- Target
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
- Minister
- G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Deputy CM (Revenue and Sports)
- Demand
- Register cases and ensure stringent punishment for those responsible
- Reference
- B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution; questioned whether India is returning to 'era of Manusmriti'