Congress, BJP clash over 'shuddhikaran' row after Kharge's Haldwani rally

In India, two big political groups, the Congress and the BJP, had a big argument.

A leader named Mallikarjun Kharge gave a big speech in the town of Haldwani on August 8, at a place called the Ramlila Ground.

Two days later, a group called Shri Ram Sena did a special cleaning ceremony at that same ground and called it a purification ritual.

Congress leaders were very upset because they believe the cleaning was done because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community, and they called it a crime against humanity.

Kharge said the ceremony shows there is no space for Dalits in the country.

The leader of the group that did the cleaning said he is not connected to the BJP, and that the ceremony was because Kharge had earlier hurt Hindu feelings by calling Hindu organisations a snake.

He also said four Dalit people helped with the ceremony.

The BJP said the group is not connected to them, and their leader, JP Nadda, promised an inquiry.

Kharge asked the police to arrest the people who did the ceremony.

Both sides blamed each other and argued about what really happened.