Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Kharge Says Congress Leaders’ Silence Hurt Over Haldwani Ritual
Mallikarjun Kharge leads the Indian National Congress.
After he spoke at a rally in Haldwani, a group held a ceremony to purify the same place.
Kharge said this made him feel humiliated because he is a Dalit.
He was also upset that many senior Congress members did not speak publicly against the ceremony.
Congress said the event showed caste prejudice and alleged links to the BJP and RSS.
The BJP denied being involved and condemned what happened.
At the same meeting, Congress leaders discussed student protests and other political issues.
They also decided that party events would use only two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
Mallikarjun Kharge told the Congress Working Committee he was hurt that many members did not publicly condemn the Haldwani purification ritual.
The ritual was performed by Shri Ram Sena at the rally venue two days after Kharge addressed a gathering there on August 8.
Congress alleged the organizers were linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and said the act reflected anti-Dalit thinking.
The Bharatiya Janata Party denied involvement, condemned the ritual and said the incident would be investigated.
The CWC also discussed student protests, the Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign, American pressure on India and limiting Vande Mataram to two stanzas at party events.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Working Committee members, K C Venugopal, the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shri Ram Sena were central to the reports.
- What
- Kharge criticized the limited public condemnation of a purification ritual held after his Haldwani rally, while the CWC discussed several political and organizational matters.
- When
- Kharge addressed the rally on August 8, the ritual was held on August 10, and the CWC discussed the issue at its Wednesday meeting.
- Where
- The ritual took place at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; the issue was discussed at the CWC meeting in New Delhi and in Parliament.
- Why
- Kharge said the ceremony humiliated him and evoked untouchability; Congress said it reflected casteist and anti-Dalit thinking.
Congress's Allegations
BJP's Response
Meaning of the ritual
Congress's Allegations
Congress said purifying the venue after Kharge's rally reflected casteist, anti-Dalit thinking and evoked untouchability.
BJP's Response
The BJP condemned the ritual and said its members were not involved.
Political links
Congress's Allegations
Congress leaders alleged that Shri Ram Sena and those involved were linked to the BJP and RSS.
BJP's Response
The BJP denied ties to the group and accused Congress of maligning the party for political gain.
Reason for the ceremony
Congress's Allegations
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal said the ritual was performed because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community.
BJP's Response
BJP spokesperson and cabinet minister Khajan Das said slogans at Kharge's rally had hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.
- Rally date
- Kharge addressed the Vijay Shankhnaad rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on August 8.
- Ritual date
- A shuddhikaran havan was performed at the venue on August 10.
- Reported organizer
- The reports identified the right-wing group Shri Ram Sena as having performed the ritual.
- Kharge's complaint
- He said he was hurt that many CWC members, particularly prominent media-facing leaders, did not publicly condemn the incident.
- Congress position
- Congress called the incident unacceptable and condemnable and alleged links among the organizers, the BJP and RSS.
- BJP position
- The BJP denied involvement by its members, distanced itself from the ritual and condemned it.
- Parliament response
- Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda called the incident unfortunate and said an inquiry would be conducted.
- Other CWC decisions
- The CWC backed singing two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events and discussed student protests and American pressure on India.
