Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Congress Protests Across India Over FIR Against Rahul Gandhi
Congress held protests in several places against a police case involving Rahul Gandhi.
The case concerns comments he made about a ceremony called ‘shuddhikaran’.
The ceremony happened at a place where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had held an event in Uttarakhand.
A complaint alleged that Gandhi gave the ceremony a caste-related meaning.
Congress leaders said the case was unfair and should be withdrawn.
They argued that Gandhi was speaking against caste discrimination and untouchability.
Protesters gathered in Hyderabad, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.
Some Punjab Congress leaders were detained, and Chandigarh protesters were stopped by barricades.
Congress units in Hyderabad, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh protested against an FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi.
The FIR followed Gandhi’s comments on a ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony held at a venue where Mallikarjun Kharge had held an event in Uttarakhand.
A Valmiki community member alleged that Gandhi gave a “casteist spin” to the religious ritual, according to the report.
Congress leaders accused authorities of targeting Gandhi and demanded withdrawal of the FIR, while protesters described it as politically motivated.
The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress protesters and leaders including Ponnam Prabhakar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda were central to the reports.
- What
- Congress units protested against an FIR filed against Gandhi over his comments on a ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony.
- When
- The protests took place on Tuesday.
- Where
- Protests were held in Hyderabad, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh; the FIR was registered in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
- Why
- Congress demanded withdrawal of the FIR and said Gandhi was being targeted for criticizing the ceremony and raising issues of caste discrimination, social justice and equality.
Congress position
Complaint and government-side allegations
Whether the FIR should be withdrawn
Congress position
Congress leaders called the FIR false, unfair and politically motivated, and demanded its withdrawal.
Complaint and government-side allegations
The reports say the FIR followed a complaint by a Valmiki community member alleging that Gandhi gave a casteist interpretation to the religious ritual.
Meaning of the ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony
Congress position
Congress leaders described the ceremony as an insult to democracy and constitutional values and said it perpetuated caste discrimination and untouchability.
Complaint and government-side allegations
The reported complaint treated the comments as a caste-related issue, while the FIR invoked provisions concerning group enmity, religious feelings and atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Gandhi’s political role
Congress position
Congress leaders said the case was intended to obstruct Gandhi’s fight for the Constitution, social justice and equality.
Complaint and government-side allegations
The articles do not report a direct response from the BJP or the government to these allegations.
- FIR location
- Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Protest locations
- Hyderabad, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh
- Related event
- A ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony at a venue where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had held an event
- Complaint allegation
- A Valmiki community member alleged that Rahul Gandhi gave a “casteist spin” to the religious ritual
- Legal provisions
- Various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions concerning promotion of enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings
- Additional law invoked
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Reported protest actions
- Punjab Congress leaders were detained, while Chandigarh protesters were stopped by police barricades
