Mallikarjun Kharge Accuses BJP of Purification Ritual in Haldwani

Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a purification ritual at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Kharge stated that after he addressed a public meeting on August 8, BJP members performed a havan to purify the stage, characterizing the act as a practice of untouchability intended to insult and humiliate him based on his Dalit identity.

Reports indicate the rituals were performed on August 10 by Shri Ram Sena, a right-wing outfit that the Uttarakhand Congress claims is linked to the BJP. Opposition leaders from the Congress, Azad Samaj Party-Kanshi Ram, RJD, and Trinamool Congress condemned the act as a violation of constitutional equality.

BJP President and Leader of the House J.P. Nadda condemned the incident as distressing and unfortunate, though he denied that BJP workers were responsible. Nadda stated that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities and promised a formal investigation into the claims. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also joined the condemnation, asserting that all members of the House condemn untouchability regardless of party or ideology.