India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has attacked BJP and RSS for their alleged “shuddhikaran” (purification ceremony) at a location in Haldwani, Uttarakhand after addressing a rally at the venue.
Rahul Gandhi condemned a “purification ceremony” in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a rally attended by Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge, calling it “untouchability” and demanding an FIR under the SC/ST Act. Gandhi used the incident to claim it reflects anti-Dalit sentiment and broader caste-based discrimination.
Rahul Gandhi termed the alleged purification ceremony as a new form of untouchability and asked the authorities to register an FIR against those behind it under the SC/ST Act.
Rahul Gandhi Calls ‘Purification’ Ritual ‘Untouchability’
During a press meet held at Indira Bhavan, Delhi, on Saturday, Gandhi commented on how such an incident speaks volumes about the mind set of the BJP and RSS towards Dalits.
He contended that performing a purification ceremony in view of the visit of a Dalit leader was tantamount to discriminating against them.
देश के हर दलित व्यक्ति का जन्म से मृत्यु तक, हर जगह, हर कदम अपमान किया जाता है।
उनकी जितनी बुलंद आवाज़ होती है, उनपर उतना तेज़ हमला होता है।
कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे जी के साथ हल्द्वानी में जो भी हुआ वो “शुद्धिकरण” का नाम दे कर उनके खिलाफ़ छुआछूत है – और छुआछूत भारत… pic.twitter.com/MJpDFRm9Zj
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 29, 2026
“Purification is nothing but untouchability by another name,” Gandhi asserted, claiming that untouchability, even after being banned, is practiced in some parts of the country.
The matter, according to Gandhi, was not just related to Kharge but the manner in which Dalits were treated.
Congress Demands FIR Under SC/ST Act
According to Gandhi, it is a violation of the SC/ST Act and immediate police action is needed.
He added that there should be an FIR filed against the people behind the purification ceremony.
The whole controversy started when a so-called purification ceremony was conducted at Ramlila Grounds, Haldwani, after the Congress meeting by Kharge on August 8.
Congress leader of Uttarakhand Ganesh Godiyal claimed that the purification ceremony was organized as Kharge is from the Dalit community.
‘Imagine What Can Happen To A Dalit Child’
Gandhi used the controversy to raise concerns about discrimination faced by Dalits beyond political spaces.
He questioned what such behaviour could mean for Dalit children if a senior leader such as Kharge could allegedly face such treatment.
“If such a thing can be done against a senior person like Mallikarjun Kharge, imagine what can be done to a four-year-old in a school,” Gandhi said.
He also referred to alleged instances of Dalit children being asked to clean toilets or sweep floors in schools.
Gandhi further claimed that caste-based discrimination continues in some villages, including cases where Dalits are allegedly served disposable cups at tea stalls while others receive reusable glasses.
Gandhi Frames Row As ‘Fight Between Two Ideologies’
The Congress leader also presented the controversy as part of what he described as a wider ideological battle. He said the country was witnessing a “fight between two ideologies” – one represented by the Constitution and its founding figures, and the other by the BJP and RSS ideology.
Gandhi said the Constitution represents the values associated with B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel, while accusing the BJP and RSS of following a contrasting ideology.
Congress Demands Justice For Kharge
Gandhi said both the Centre and the Uttarakhand government had a responsibility to ensure action in the case.
He demanded justice for Kharge and said the Congress would continue pursuing the issue even if the BJP-led government failed to act.
Gandhi also warned that the Congress would respond politically if authorities did not take action.
