Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Bengaluru Police File Zero FIR Over Haldwani Purification Ritual
Bengaluru Police filed a Zero FIR about an alleged ritual in Haldwani.
Mallikarjun Kharge had spoken at a public rally at Ramlila Ground on August 8.
The complaint says some BJP members held a purification ritual at the same place two days later.
It alleges the ritual suggested that the ground became unclean because Kharge belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
Mahendra Bhatt, the Uttarakhand BJP president, was named because the complaint says he defended the ritual publicly.
BJP leaders said the incident did not happen and accused Congress of spreading confusion and using divisive politics.
The FIR was filed after police sought legal advice about a complaint submitted by T R Ramappa.
The allegations still need to be investigated, and the FIR does not prove anyone is guilty.
Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha police registered a Zero FIR against Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt, other party members and others.
The complaint alleges BJP functionaries held a Shuddhikaran ritual at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground on August 10.
Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a public rally at the same venue on August 8.
The complainant said the ritual promoted a casteist belief that Kharge’s presence made the ground impure because he belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
The case cites the Protection of Civil Rights Act, the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and Section 196(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; the matter is to be sent to Uttarakhand for investigation.
- Who
- Bengaluru Police registered the FIR following a complaint by T R Ramappa against Mahendra Bhatt, other Uttarakhand BJP members and others.
- What
- A Zero FIR was filed over an alleged Shuddhikaran, or purification, ritual following Kharge’s rally.
- When
- Kharge’s rally was held on August 8, the alleged ritual on August 10, and Ramappa submitted his complaint on August 31; the FIR was reported on September 4 or 5.
- Where
- The FIR was registered at Vidhana Soudha Police Station in Bengaluru; the alleged ritual took place at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
- Why
- The complaint alleged that the ritual conveyed a casteist message that Kharge’s presence had made the venue impure.
Complainant and Congress Position
BJP Position
Whether the ritual occurred
Complainant and Congress Position
Ramappa’s complaint alleges that BJP functionaries organised a Shuddhikaran ritual at the venue after Kharge’s rally and that Mahendra Bhatt defended or endorsed it publicly.
BJP Position
BJP leaders Ram Kadam and Ramchander Rao said no such purification incident occurred and accused Congress of fabricating or exaggerating the issue.
Meaning and impact
Complainant and Congress Position
The complainant and Priyank Kharge described the alleged conduct as casteist, discriminatory and against constitutional values, arguing that it insulted Kharge’s dignity and social status.
BJP Position
The BJP leaders said Congress was misleading the public, creating confusion and using divisive politics by reviving what they called a non-issue.
Police action
Complainant and Congress Position
Congress representatives said filing an FIR was the police’s duty after receiving a complaint and argued that the matter should have been acted on in Uttarakhand earlier.
BJP Position
The FIR was registered in Bengaluru after legal opinion was sought and is expected to be forwarded to authorities in Uttarakhand, where the allegations will be investigated; registration does not establish guilt.
- Case type
- Zero First Information Report
- Police station
- Vidhana Soudha Police Station, Bengaluru
- Complainant
- T R Ramappa, former vice-chairman of the Scheduled Tribes Department cell of the Adivasi Congress
- Rally date
- August 8
- Alleged ritual date
- August 10
- Alleged venue
- Ramlila Ground, Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Legal provisions
- Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989; and Section 196(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Sources
B’luru police registers FIR against Uttarakhand BJP members over ‘purification’ ritual
‘Party Of Leaders Who Lie’: BJP Slams Congress After Zero FIR Filed Over Kharge ‘Purification’ Row
Zero FIR In Bengaluru Against Uttarakhand BJP State President Over ‘Purification’ Ritual
Bengaluru police register FIR against Uttarakhand BJP members over ‘purification’ ritual after Kharge rally
