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Kharge seeks FIR after Haldwani purification incident despite assurance
Mallikarjun Kharge held a public meeting in Haldwani on August 8.
Some people later performed what was described as a purification ritual at the same venue.
Kharge said this act was connected to untouchability and hurt many people.
He asked J P Nadda to tell the Uttarakhand chief minister to ensure that a police case is filed.
Kharge said Nadda had earlier promised that the matter would be investigated.
He also said no case had been filed against those allegedly responsible after 24 days.
An FIR was instead filed against Rahul Gandhi after he criticised the ritual.
The Congress and BJP disagree about how the incident should be handled and whether Congress is using it for political purposes.
Mallikarjun Kharge urged J P Nadda to direct Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure an FIR over the alleged Haldwani purification ritual.
Kharge said the ritual followed his August 8 public meeting at Ramlila Maidan and was conducted on August 11.
He said no FIR had been filed against the individuals or organisations involved even 24 days after the incident.
Kharge recalled Nadda’s August 13 Rajya Sabha assurance that the incident would be investigated and guilty parties would face strict action.
The Congress criticised an FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi over his comments, while the BJP accused Congress of politicising the issue ahead of assembly polls.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, J P Nadda, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress and the BJP.
- What
- Kharge asked Nadda to ensure an FIR is registered against those allegedly involved in a purification ritual at the Haldwani rally venue.
- Where
- Ramlila Maidan, also referred to as Ramlila Ground, in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
- When
- The rally took place on August 8, 2026; the reported ritual took place on August 11; Kharge raised the issue in Rajya Sabha on August 13 and wrote to Nadda on September 2.
- Why
- Kharge said the ritual was linked to untouchability and violated constitutional principles and human values, and he sought action against those responsible.
Congress position
BJP position
Meaning of the ritual
Congress position
Congress says the alleged purification act was casteist, linked to untouchability, and contrary to the Constitution and human values.
BJP position
The BJP’s stated position, as cited by Kharge, is that it does not support such activity and condemns it; BJP supporters later accused Congress of giving the issue a political and casteist spin.
Police action
Congress position
Congress demands an FIR against the individuals and organisations allegedly responsible and says the FIR against Rahul Gandhi diverts attention from the original incident.
BJP position
The BJP-backed complaint led to an FIR against Rahul Gandhi over his remarks, while the BJP accused Congress of doing petty politics ahead of assembly polls.
Political significance
Congress position
Kharge says the matter concerns the sentiments of millions who face untouchability and is not merely a personal or party issue.
BJP position
The BJP described Rahul Gandhi as anti-Dalit and said Congress was politicising the controversy.
Key facts
- Rally date
- August 8, 2026
- Reported ritual
- A purification yajna was allegedly conducted at the venue on August 11 after Kharge’s meeting.
- Kharge’s parliamentary intervention
- He raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2026.
- Letter date
- September 2, 2026
- Requested action
- Kharge asked J P Nadda to direct the Uttarakhand chief minister to ensure an FIR.
- FIR status cited by Kharge
- He said no FIR had been filed against the organisations or individuals allegedly involved after 24 days.
- Separate FIR
- An FIR was filed against Rahul Gandhi after a complaint alleged that he gave a casteist interpretation to a religious ritual.
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president and Rajya Sabha member
“I, therefore, urge you once again — in light of these facts and the assurances given in the Rajya Sabha — to direct the chief minister of Uttarakhand to ensure that an FIR is registered against the individuals and organisations involved in the ‘purification’ incident that took place at Ramlila Maidan following my public meeting in Haldwani.”
theprint.in
“The most objectionable aspect of this incident was that at the Ramlila Maidan site where I addressed the rally, purification was carried out, contrary to the spirit of the Indian Constitution and human values.”
theprint.in
Sources
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