Archive · 13 Aug 2026
BJP Denies Link to Haldwani Purification Ritual, Promises Probe
A famous politician named Mallikarjun Kharge gave a big speech at a gathering place called Ramlila Maidan in a town named Haldwani.
A few days later, people from a group called Shri Ram Sena held a religious ceremony called a havan on the very same stage.
Mr. Kharge said his speech was only about helping people and running the country, not about any religion.
He felt the ceremony was insulting and said it was connected to treating some people unfairly because of their caste.
He raised the matter in Parliament, where leaders talk about important problems.
A leader from the BJP, J P Nadda, said the BJP had nothing to do with the ceremony and does not support it.
He promised that the government would investigate what happened fairly.
The chairman of the Parliament house, C P Radhakrishnan, said untouchability is wrong and everyone should be treated equally.
He asked that the people responsible be caught and punished if the claims are true.
The state BJP in Uttarakhand said some religious slogans were shouted at the rally, which upset local people, and that might be why the ceremony happened.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised the religious purification ritual in Haldwani in the Rajya Sabha.
A group called Shri Ram Sena reportedly performed a havan on the same stage where Kharge held his August 8 rally.
Union Minister J P Nadda said the BJP and government had no connection to the event and promised a full, fair investigation.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan condemned untouchability and said those responsible should be punished if allegations are proven.
The Uttarakhand state BJP said religious slogans linked to another faith reportedly raised during the rally may explain the ritual.
- Who
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, where Union Minister J P Nadda and Chairman C P Radhakrishnan responded; a group called Shri Ram Sena reportedly performed the ritual.
- What
- A religious purification ritual (havan) was reportedly held on the stage of Kharge's Haldwani rally, sparking a Rajya Sabha dispute over responsibility for the act.
- When
- The dispute erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday; Kharge's rally took place on August 8, with the ritual performed a few days later.
- Where
- Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; the matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi.
- Why
- Kharge called the ritual insulting and linked it to caste discrimination, while the state BJP said it may have been a local reaction to religious slogans reportedly raised during the rally.
Congress/Kharge Perspective
BJP Perspective
Responsibility for the ritual
Congress/Kharge Perspective
Kharge called the havan insulting, linked it to caste discrimination, and demanded accountability for those responsible.
BJP Perspective
BJP and government say they had no connection to the event; Nadda called it deeply regrettable and promised a thorough investigation.
Context at the rally
Congress/Kharge Perspective
Kharge said he spoke only about governance and public welfare and mentioned no religion or community during his speech.
BJP Perspective
The state BJP said religious slogans linked to another faith were reportedly raised at the holy site during the rally, upsetting local sentiment and prompting the ritual as a response.
- Event
- Havan (religious purification ritual) at Ramlila Maidan, Haldwani
- Reportedly performed by
- Shri Ram Sena
- Rally date
- August 8
- Raised in Parliament by
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha
- BJP response
- No party or government connection; full and fair investigation promised
- Rajya Sabha Chairman's stance
- Condemned untouchability; asked for investigation and punishment if allegations are proven
- State BJP explanation
- Religious slogans linked to another faith reportedly raised at the rally upset local sentiment