Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday stepped up his attack over the reported ‘purification’ of a public venue in Haldwani after party president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.
Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi direct the authorities to register an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those involved in the reported ritual.
Kharge, a senior Congress leader and Dalit, had addressed a public meeting at the Ramlila ground in Haldwani on August 8. According to the Congress, a ‘shuddhikaran’ havan was conducted at the venue two days later by members of the Shri Ram Sena.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Gandhi described the controversy as a clash between the Constitution and what he characterised as the ideology of the RSS and BJP.
“Our demand is an FIR should be lodged at the earliest against those who performed Shuddikaran,” Gandhi said.
He questioned why no case had been registered under the SC/ST Act and urged both the central and Uttarakhand governments to ensure that Kharge receives justice.
‘This is not just about Kharge’
Gandhi argued that the controversy should not be viewed solely through the lens of Kharge’s position as Congress president.
“This is not the issue of Kharge alone. This is an issue of all Dalits in Hindustan,” he said.
The Leader of the Opposition cited several instances of alleged discrimination against Dalits, including unequal access to water, separate utensils and other forms of social exclusion.
Gandhi said the reported purification ritual was an example of untouchability and alleged that such practices were incompatible with the Constitution.
He also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after BJP’s Uttarakhand chief was shown supporting the reported ‘shuddhikaran’.
Congress steps up attack
The issue had earlier been raised by Kharge at a Congress Working Committee meeting on August 19. Kharge reportedly expressed disappointment that some party leaders had not spoken out strongly on the matter.
Gandhi clarified that Kharge had not accused the majority of Congress leaders of failing to support him.
The controversy has also drawn attention from other political leaders. BSP chief Mayawati has criticised what she described as the ‘stage purification’ following Kharge’s event, while the Rajya Sabha chair has sought a probe into the matter.
Gandhi maintained that an FIR should be registered and action taken under the relevant law.
“He is our president and he must get justice today or tomorrow,” Gandhi said, adding that the incident was significant because if such treatment could allegedly happen to a senior Dalit political leader, the situation faced by ordinary Dalits could be even more serious.
The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted to prevent atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and provides for punishment for offences covered by the legislation.
The controversy over the reported Haldwani ‘purification’ ritual is likely to remain a political flashpoint, with the Congress demanding action and framing the issue as one of caste discrimination, constitutional rights and Dalit dignity.
