Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday, August 13, raised the controversy over a ‘purification’ ritual conducted at the Haldwani venue where he had addressed a rally, saying the incident made him feel the “sting of untouchability”.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the final day of the Monsoon Session, Kharge said he did not want to turn the matter into a political controversy but demanded action against those responsible.
Kharge alleged that people associated with the ruling BJP performed a havan and ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) of the stage at Ramlila Maidan after his August 8 speech.
“I have been a member of this House for years and have never told anyone that I am from a Scheduled Caste or that I am a Dalit, protect me, nor have I begged in front of anyone,” Kharge said.
“I have the strength to fight and I do fight. But in Haldwani, the stage was purified, making me feel the sting of untouchability and subjecting me to humiliation,” he added.
Kharge Questions ‘Way Democracy Works’
Kharge said he had not made any remarks against a particular religion or community during his speech and questioned why the venue was later subjected to a purification ritual.
“I only spoke about the problems of the people,” he said, referring to his address at the Haldwani Ramlila Maidan.
“Is this the way democracy works? How are you protecting the Constitution?” Kharge asked.
The Congress leader demanded that cases be registered under laws dealing with untouchability and that those responsible should be arrested and sent to jail.
The controversy began after members of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan performed a purification ritual at the venue following Kharge’s rally. The group had said it objected to the use of the Ramlila ground for political activities and alleged that objectionable slogans were raised during the Congress event.
BJP Says It Does Not Support Such Practices
Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda rejected any suggestion that the BJP was behind the ritual.
“Firstly, the BJP does not subscribe to such activities. And second, this is a matter of concern for all of us. It is also a matter of concern for the country,” Nadda said.
He said the authorities would investigate the incident and take action if anyone was found guilty.
“But even after this, if Kharge ji is saying that we are responsible for the matter, it is not right,” Nadda said, urging Kharge not to politicise or sensationalise the issue.
Nadda added that he shared Kharge’s concern over the incident and said, “If anyone is found guilty, certainly action will be taken. We respect the sentiments of Kharge ji.”
Rajya Sabha Chairman Calls for Punishment
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan also condemned untouchability and called for an investigation.
“Untouchability is not a sin. There is no sin in this world that we all condemn like untouchability,” he said.
He urged the government to ensure that those responsible were identified and punished.
The remarks came amid a brief uproar in the House before the matter was brought to a close.
The Haldwani controversy has triggered a wider political confrontation in Uttarakhand, with the Congress accusing the BJP of encouraging caste discrimination, while the BJP has denied any connection with the organisation that conducted the ritual.
