Archive · 13 Aug 2026
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.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Vijay Shankhnaad' rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground on August 8 was followed on August 10 by a 'shuddhikaran' (purification) havan by the right-wing Shri Ram Sena group.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged the Shri Ram Sena is associated with the BJP and called the ritual targeting Dalit Kharge a 'crime against humanity'; the BJP denied any ties.
Kharge said there is 'no space for Dalits' in the country, called the havan 'against the Hindu religion itself,' and raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
BJP leader JP Nadda called the incident 'unfortunate,' insisted party members were not involved, and assured an inquiry; BJP minister Khajan Das said slogans raised at the rally hurt Sanatan community sentiments.
Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas president Girish Chandra Pandey denied BJP and RSS links, citing Kharge's 'venomous snake' remark, and said four Dalits took part in the havan; Kharge demanded action under the Untouchability (Offences) Act.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (Dalit and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha), Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal, BJP leader JP Nadda, BJP state spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, and Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas president Girish Chandra Pandey
- What
- A political and caste row over a 'shuddhikaran' (purification) havan performed by the right-wing Shri Ram Sena group at the Ramlila Ground after Kharge's 'Vijay Shankhnaad' rally
- When
- Rally on August 8; purification havan on August 10; issue raised in Parliament on Thursday, the last day of the Monsoon Session; Kharge's demand posted on X on August 13
- Where
- Ramlila Ground (Ramlila Maidan) in Haldwani, Nainital district, Uttarakhand, and the Rajya Sabha in Parliament
- Why
- Congress says the ritual was performed because Kharge is Dalit and shows there is 'no space for Dalits' in the country; the BJP and Shri Ram Sena say slogans and remarks from Kharge's rally hurt Hindu and Sanatan community sentiments at a religiously significant venue
Congress
BJP
Shri Ram Sena's ties to BJP
Congress
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged the Shri Ram Sena group that performed the ritual is associated with the BJP; Kharge said in Parliament that 'people of BJP performed a havan' to purify the stage.
BJP
The BJP denies any association with the group; JP Nadda said BJP members were not involved and the party does not endorse such acts, while committing to investigate who was behind the ceremony.
Reason for the purification ceremony
Congress
The ritual was performed because Kharge is Dalit, showing there is 'no space for Dalits' in the country; it is against the Hindu religion itself, divides society, and is a crime against humanity.
BJP
The ceremony responded to slogans raised at Kharge's rally that hurt Sanatan community sentiments at the religiously significant Ramlila Ground; Shri Ram Sena president Girish Chandra Pandey cited Kharge's 'venomous snake' remark about Hindu organisations and said four Dalits took part in the havan.
Respect for Dalit leaders
Congress
The BJP creates divisions in society in the name of caste by targeting a Dalit Congress president.
BJP
The Congress disrespects Dalit leaders such as Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and has raked up the caste issue only for political purpose.
- Event
- Congress-BJP clash over 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ceremony
- Location
- Ramlila Ground (Ramlila Maidan), Haldwani, Nainital district, Uttarakhand
- Rally
- 'Vijay Shankhnaad' rally by Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8
- Purification ceremony
- 'Shuddhikaran' havan by Shri Ram Sena (Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas) on August 10
- Congress allegation
- Ritual targeted Kharge's Dalit identity; 'no space for Dalits' in the country; a 'crime against humanity'
- BJP response
- Denied any ties to the group; JP Nadda called the incident 'unfortunate' and assured an inquiry
- Shri Ram Sena response
- President Girish Chandra Pandey denied BJP/RSS links, cited Kharge's 'venomous snake' remark, and said four Dalits took part in the havan
- Kharge's demand
- Charge those involved under the Untouchability (Offences) Act and arrest them
Sources
Congress, BJP clash in caste row over ‘shuddhikaran’ after Kharge’s Haldwani rally
Congress slams ‘havan’ after Kharge’s Uttarakhand rally, BJP denies link
"Against Hindu Religion": M Kharge On 'Purification' Of His Rally Venue
