FIR Filed Against Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks on 'Purification' Ritual
An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand's Haldwani over his remarks about a 'purification' ritual conducted at a ground where a Congress rally was held, according to police and party statements.
The first information report was filed on August 30 at Haldwani Police Station in Nainital district, as reported by ANI. The police have invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The complaint was filed by a member of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, the organisation that performed the ritual at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, according to in. The complainant, who identified himself as a member of the Valmiki community, said he was present during the "ritual and cleanliness drive" held on August 11 with other Scheduled Caste community members. He alleged that Gandhi, in a press conference on Saturday, portrayed those involved as practising "untouchability" and being "anti-Dalit," which he said hurt the sentiments of the community. The complainant also claimed the event had "no connection" with Kharge's caste, the news agency reported.
Background of the Controversy
The case stems from a Congress rally at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. According to the complaint, a 'shuddhikaran yajna' was conducted at the venue after the rally, with members of the Valmiki community participating in cleaning the ground and conducting the ritual.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier described the ritual as anti-Dalit and an act of untouchability, demanding legal action against those involved. "It is an act of untouchability against Kharge, disguised as 'purification'," Gandhi said, adding that untouchability is a punishable offence under the Constitution. "It is a crime," he added.
Kharge himself had raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, demanding that those who performed the ritual be arrested.
Response from Political Figures
The FIR has drawn criticism from Congress leaders. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the decision to file a case against someone who had "called out" an alleged illegal act. "Instead of putting an FIR... putting a case against a person who has... called out... who has called out this illegal thing, who's called out that how the Constitution is being breached," he said.
The Congress party also condemned the move. Congress leader KC Venugopal described the case as "nothing but the pot calling the kettle black," and accused the BJP of defending "abhorrently casteist behaviour." "They are willing to put the entire might of the state to attack those who speak against Dalit atrocities," he said, as reported by in.
Organisers' Defence
Meanwhile, the organisers of the ritual have denied any caste-based motive. Vinod Arya of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas told ANI that the event was conducted as part of a cleanliness drive and to restore the sanctity of the venue.
Union Minister JP Nadda had previously said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party "does not subscribe to such activities" and that the party would investigate the matter. The Congress' Uttarakhand unit has alleged that the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas is associated with the BJP, a claim the party has denied, with BJP representatives claiming that slogans shouted at Kharge's rally had offended those who believed in Sanatana Dharma.
Political Context
In a separate development, Priyank Kharge also criticised the BJP over its padyatra in Karnataka, saying the party should raise questions about alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The Karnataka BJP began its padyatra, with state party president BY Vijayendra saying it would focus on issues including the resignation of former minister B Nagendra, drought conditions, and vacancies.