Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Uttarakhand BJP Chief Defends Purification of Kharge Rally Venue
A group performed a purification ritual at a rally ground in Haldwani.
The ground had hosted a Congress rally led by Mallikarjun Kharge.
BJP leader Mahendra Bhatt defended the ritual.
He said slogans at the rally had offended some believers and polluted the place.
Bhatt said the action was not aimed at people from a Scheduled Caste.
Kharge criticized the incident in Parliament and asked for arrests.
Union minister JP Nadda said the BJP did not support such activities and would investigate.
The BJP also denied being connected to the group that performed the ritual.
Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt defended the purification of Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground.
Bhatt said slogans at Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally had polluted or defiled the venue.
He denied the ritual targeted anyone from a Scheduled Caste.
Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13 and sought arrests.
The BJP denied links to Shri Ram Sena, which performed the ritual.
- Who
- Mahendra Bhatt defended the ritual; Mallikarjun Kharge criticized it; Shri Ram Sena performed it.
- What
- A purification ritual was conducted at a rally venue after a Congress event.
- When
- The rally took place earlier this month; Kharge raised the issue on August 13.
- Where
- Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha.
- Why
- Bhatt said slogans at the rally had defiled the venue and offended people who believe in Sanatan Dharma.
Congress and Critics
BJP Defense
Meaning of the ritual
Congress and Critics
Congress objected to the purification and Kharge demanded that those responsible be arrested.
BJP Defense
Mahendra Bhatt said the ritual was conducted because slogans had polluted or defiled the venue, not because of anyone’s Scheduled Caste identity.
Connection to the BJP
Congress and Critics
The Congress’ Uttarakhand unit alleged that Shri Ram Sena, which performed the ritual, was associated with the BJP.
BJP Defense
The BJP denied any association with Shri Ram Sena.
Political and religious impact
Congress and Critics
Kharge and critics treated the incident as serious enough to raise in Parliament, while Bhatt accused such objections of damaging and dividing society.
BJP Defense
Bhatt said slogans at the rally offended people who believe in Sanatan Dharma and justified the venue’s purification.
- Venue
- Ramlila Ground, Haldwani
- BJP defender
- Mahendra Bhatt, Uttarakhand BJP chief
- Ritual performer
- Shri Ram Sena
- Parliamentary response
- Mallikarjun Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13.
- Kharge’s demand
- He demanded the arrest of those who performed the ritual.
- BJP national response
- Union minister JP Nadda said the BJP does not subscribe to such activities and would investigate.
- Disputed affiliation
- The Congress alleged Shri Ram Sena was associated with the BJP; the BJP denied the association.