Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP-RSS of ‘untouchability’ over Kharge rally venue ‘shuddhikaran’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Aug 29 intensified his attack on the BJP and RSS over a reported ‘shuddhikaran’ or purification ritual conducted at the venue of a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, calling the episode an act of untouchability and demanding legal action against those responsible.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said the incident was a crime and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the registration of an FIR in Uttarakhand.

Kharge had addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on Aug 8. According to the reports, a purification ritual was conducted at the venue two days later. The episode has since triggered a political controversy, with the Congress alleging that the ritual was linked to Kharge’s identity as a Dalit leader.

Gandhi said the incident should not be viewed only as an issue concerning Kharge but as a broader issue involving discrimination against Dalits. He alleged that the BJP and RSS did not want Dalits to progress, live with dignity or achieve success.

The Congress leader described ‘shuddhikaran’ as another form of untouchability and said such practices were contrary to the Constitution. He also demanded that an FIR be registered against those who carried out the ritual under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Gandhi linked the Haldwani episode to what he described as continuing instances of caste-based discrimination. He referred to allegations involving Dalit children being made to clean toilets and sweep floors in schools, restrictions on access to common water sources and the use of separate cups for Dalits at tea stalls.

He also referred to alleged attacks and intimidation faced by Dalits during wedding processions and said that discrimination becomes stronger, in his view, when a Dalit person becomes more prominent or successful.

Gandhi framed the controversy as part of what he described as a larger political and ideological contest between the Constitution and the ideology of the BJP and RSS. He said the Constitution represented the principles associated with leaders including B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.

The controversy had earlier reached Parliament when Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Aug 13. Kharge said a havan had been conducted at the Ramlila Maidan after his rally and spoke about the humiliation caused by the alleged purification of the venue.

Kharge also said he had not referred to any particular community or religion during his speech at the rally. He subsequently called for legal action and sought the registration of a case under the law dealing with untouchability.

The BJP has rejected any association with the ritual. BJP president J P Nadda said the party did not support such practices and that the matter would be examined, with action to follow if anyone was found responsible.

The issue took another turn after Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defended the ritual, according to the reports, saying the venue had been “defiled” by slogans.

Gandhi said the Congress would continue to pursue action against those responsible even if the BJP did not take action. He said the party wanted Kharge to get justice in Uttarakhand.

The Congress leader reiterated that the controversy was not merely about the Congress president but, in his view, concerned the treatment of Dalits more broadly.