An FIR has been registered against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani over his remarks on a “purification” ritual allegedly held after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally at the venue.
The case was filed on Sunday under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The FIR came a day after Gandhi demanded legal action against those who carried out the ritual, calling it an act of “untouchability” against Kharge, who belongs to the Dalit community.
Complaint alleges Gandhi hurt Valmiki community sentiments
According to the complaint, the case was filed by Amit Kumar, a member of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, the organisation accused by the Congress of conducting the ritual at Ramlila Maidan.
The complainant said he belongs to the Valmiki community and was present during the ritual and cleanliness drive held at the venue on August 11 along with other members of the Scheduled Caste community.
He alleged that Gandhi’s remarks portrayed those involved in the event as practising untouchability and being “anti-Dalit”, hurting the sentiments of the community.
The complaint also claimed that the ritual had no connection with Kharge’s caste.
Police registered the FIR under Sections 196 and 299 of the BNS, along with Section 3(1) of the SC/ST Act. The provisions relate to promoting enmity between groups and deliberately outraging religious feelings, along with offences under the SC/ST law.
Gandhi had demanded FIR against ritual organisers
Kharge addressed a Congress gathering at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. Three days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas allegedly conducted a purification ritual at the same venue.
The incident triggered a political controversy after videos of the event circulated on social media. The Congress demanded action against those responsible.
At a press conference in New Delhi on August 29, Gandhi called the incident “untouchability” against Kharge and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act.
“Whatever happened to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji in Haldwani is untouchability against him, disguised as ‘purification’—and untouchability is a punishable offence under the Indian Constitution,” Gandhi said.
He questioned why no FIR had been registered against those who conducted the ritual despite several days having passed.
Congress attacks BJP over FIR against Gandhi
The Congress criticised the FIR against Gandhi and accused the BJP of defending caste discrimination.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal called the case an example of the “pot calling the kettle black”.
He alleged that the BJP was using the state machinery against those who spoke about Dalit rights and atrocities.
The Uttarakhand Congress has alleged that the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas is linked to the BJP. The BJP has denied any association with the organisation.
The BJP has also maintained that the purification ritual was related to slogans allegedly raised during Kharge’s rally that offended people who consider the venue religious.
