Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi Demands FIR Over Haldwani Purification Row
Mallikarjun Kharge spoke at a Congress rally in Haldwani on August 8.
Reports said a purification ceremony was held at the same venue two days later.
Rahul Gandhi said this ceremony treated Kharge as if he had made the place impure because he is Dalit.
He called it untouchability and asked for a police case under a law protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Gandhi said about 20 days had passed without an FIR or action.
Some BJP leaders gave different responses to the controversy.
Mahendra Bhatt reportedly defended the ceremony, while J. P. Nadda said the BJP did not support such practices.
A religious organisation said it—not the BJP or RSS—had organised the ceremony.
Gandhi said the incident showed the larger discrimination Dalits can face in India.
Rahul Gandhi called the reported Haldwani purification ritual an act of untouchability against Dalit Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on August 8, and a purification havan was reportedly held there on August 10.
Gandhi demanded an FIR and proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt reportedly defended the ritual, while BJP president J. P. Nadda said the party did not support such practices.
A religious organisation denied BJP-RSS involvement, saying it conducted the ritual over allegedly offensive remarks and littering after the rally.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP leaders, and representatives of the organisation that conducted the reported ceremony.
- What
- A reported shuddhikaran, or purification havan, was held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after Kharge’s rally; Gandhi called it untouchability and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act.
- When
- Kharge addressed the rally on August 8 and the reported ceremony took place on August 10; Gandhi raised the issue about 20 days later at a Saturday press conference.
- Where
- Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; Gandhi spoke at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi.
- Why
- Gandhi said the ceremony discriminated against Kharge and reflected wider caste-based discrimination, while the organising group cited allegedly offensive remarks, religious sentiments, and post-rally littering.
Congress and Rahul Gandhi
BJP and Ceremony Organisers
Meaning of the ceremony
Congress and Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi called the shuddhikaran an act of untouchability and discrimination against Kharge, arguing that it violated constitutional principles.
BJP and Ceremony Organisers
Mahendra Bhatt reportedly defended the ceremony, while Girish Chandra Pandey said it responded to allegedly offensive remarks, religious sentiments, and littering at the venue.
BJP-RSS involvement
Congress and Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi alleged that BJP-RSS members carried out the ritual and said it reflected their attitude toward Dalits.
BJP and Ceremony Organisers
Pandey denied any association between the organising religious organisation and the BJP or RSS. Union minister Ajay Tamta also denied BJP or government involvement and said religious organisations regularly clean Ramlila grounds after rallies.
Need for legal action
Congress and Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi demanded an FIR and proceedings under the SC/ST Act, saying justice should be secured for Kharge and Dalits more broadly.
BJP and Ceremony Organisers
J. P. Nadda said the BJP did not support such practices and that the matter would be examined, with action if anyone was found responsible.
- Venue
- Ramlila Maidan, Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Congress rally
- Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the Congress’s Vijay Shankhnaad rally there on August 8.
- Reported ceremony
- A shuddhikaran, or purification, havan was reportedly conducted at the venue on August 10.
- Rahul Gandhi’s demand
- Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct an FIR and action under the SC/ST Act.
- Reported delay
- Gandhi said approximately 20 days had passed without an FIR or official action.
- BJP responses
- J. P. Nadda said the BJP did not support such practices and would examine the matter; Mahendra Bhatt reportedly defended the ceremony.
- Organiser’s account
- Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas president Girish Chandra Pandey denied BJP-RSS links and cited religious sentiments and littering after the rally.
Sources
Rahul Gandhi demands FIR in Haldwani ‘shuddhikaran’ row, says ‘BJP, RSS don’t want Dalits to progress’
Haldwani ‘purification’ row: Rahul Gandhi demands justice for Kharge, calls for FIR
'Untouchability Disguised As Purification': Rahul Gandhi Slams Haldwani 'Shuddhikaran' After Kharge Rally | VIDEO
‘Shuddhikaran another word for untouchability’, Rahul rakes up ‘insult’ to Kharge at Haldwani event