Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Andhra Congress Leaders Burn RSS Effigies Over Haldwani Venue Purification
Congress is one of India's big political groups.
Its leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, gave a speech in a town called Haldwani.
After the speech, someone reportedly cleaned or 'purified' the stage where he stood.
Congress leaders were very upset by this.
They said it was a type of caste discrimination, which means treating someone unfairly because of their family background.
To show their anger, Congress leaders in Andhra Pradesh burned pretend figures called effigies.
They burned the effigies to protest against a group called the RSS.
They also asked the police to punish the people who cleaned the venue using a special law that protects people from caste-based unfairness.
The other big political group, the BJP, did not say anything about it right away.
Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders burnt effigies across the state on Friday, targeting the RSS.
The protest opposed the alleged 'purification' of a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting there.
APCC vice president Kolanukonda Sivaji demanded the BJP explain its silence over Kharge's alleged humiliation and caste discrimination.
Congress leaders demanded cases be registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those involved in the purification.
Kharge had alleged that people associated with the BJP purified the stage where he spoke, and there was no immediate reaction from local BJP leaders.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders, including APCC vice president Kolanukonda Sivaji, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
- What
- Burnt effigies targeting the RSS to protest the alleged 'purification' of the Haldwani venue where Kharge addressed a public meeting
- When
- Friday, August 14
- Where
- Across Andhra Pradesh, including Vijayawada; the disputed venue was in Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Why
- To protest alleged caste discrimination and humiliation of Kharge after the rally venue was purified, and to demand action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Congress
BJP/RSS
Haldwani venue 'purification'
Congress
Congress leaders say the purification of the venue where Kharge spoke was an act of caste discrimination and humiliation, alleging that people associated with the BJP carried it out.
BJP/RSS
The purification is described only as 'alleged', and there has been no immediate reaction from local BJP leaders to confirm or deny involvement.
Action under the SC/ST Act
Congress
Congress demands that cases be registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those responsible for the purification.
BJP/RSS
BJP leaders have not responded to the accusation or the demand, and no such cases have been reported.
- Event
- Effigy-burning protest against alleged venue purification
- Protest Location
- Across Andhra Pradesh, including Vijayawada and Amaravati
- Date
- Friday, August 14
- Target
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Disputed Venue
- Rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Congress President
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Key Demand
- Cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those involved in the purification
- BJP Response
- No immediate reaction from local BJP leaders