Archive · 5 Sep 2026
BJP-Congress War Escalates Over Haldwani Purification Ritual FIR
A disagreement has grown between the BJP and Congress over an alleged ritual in Haldwani.
The ritual happened at a place where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had recently spoken.
Congress leaders called the ritual a form of discrimination.
They said it treated Kharge and another senior leader unfairly because of their political and social identities.
Congress leader KC Venugopal strongly criticized the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
Rahul Gandhi also questioned what happened.
Congress said an FIR was filed against Rahul after he raised the issue.
The two parties are now exchanging angry accusations about the incident.
An alleged “purification” ritual was held at a Haldwani venue days after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.
Congress said the ritual was deeply disturbing and amounted to practicing untouchability against Kharge.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of pursuing “the politics of bigotry.”
Rahul Gandhi questioned the alleged ritual, after which an FIR was registered against him, according to Congress.
The dispute has triggered an escalating war of words between the BJP and Congress.
- Who
- The BJP, Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, and Rahul Gandhi are involved; Venugopal attributed the alleged conduct to the BJP and Sangh Parivar.
- What
- An alleged “purification” ritual led to accusations of bigotry and untouchability, followed by an FIR against Rahul Gandhi after he questioned it.
- When
- The ritual took place days after Kharge’s rally at the venue; Venugopal spoke about the issue earlier the same day as reported.
- Where
- Haldwani, at the venue where Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally.
- Why
- Congress said the ritual was discriminatory and objected to the alleged justification for it.
- Location
- Haldwani
- Disputed event
- An alleged “purification” ritual at a rally venue
- Earlier event
- Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally at the same venue
- Congress speaker
- KC Venugopal, Congress General Secretary (Organisation)
- FIR subject
- Rahul Gandhi, according to Congress
- Congress accusation
- The ritual amounted to practicing untouchability and reflected “the politics of bigotry”
- Groups criticized
- The BJP and Sangh Parivar, according to Venugopal