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FIR Filed Against Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks on Haldwani 'Purification' Ritual
Police in Uttarakhand have registered an FIR against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi following a complaint by Amit Kumar, a Scheduled Caste member, who alleged Gandhi's remarks about a 'purification' ritual at Haldwani hurt the sentiments of the Valmiki community. The Congress has condemned the action, questioning why no case has been filed against those who performed the ritual, while the BJP has denied any caste angle.
By Tertius News AI Desk4 distinct · 4 mastheads · 4 articlesVersion 2Coverage Published
Police in Uttarakhand have registered a first information report (FIR) against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi following a complaint over his remarks about a 'purification' ritual at a venue in Haldwani. The complaint was filed by Amit Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar and a member of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, who alleged that Gandhi's statements were "caste-indicative and insulting words against the Scheduled Caste" and based on false and incomplete facts.
The FIR was registered on August 30 at Haldwani City Kotwali Police Station under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, including Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u), along with Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with conflict between groups and acts meant to hurt religious feelings. Nainital Superintendent of Police T C Manjunath confirmed that the FIR was registered after Kumar submitted evidence supporting his allegations.
Kumar, who said he is from the Scheduled Caste community, stated that he was present at the "ritual and cleanliness drive" and that Gandhi's comments, made at a press conference in Delhi on August 29, hurt the Valmiki community's sentiments. He also said that people from several groups, including Scheduled Castes, took part in the event and that it had "no connection" with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's caste.
The controversy stems from an incident on August 11, when a "purification yajna" was allegedly performed at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, days after Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8. The ritual was conducted by the right-wing group Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan, reportedly to counter slogans raised by Congress members during the rally and Kharge's previous statement comparing the BJP and RSS to a "poisonous snake."
At the August 29 press conference, Gandhi criticised the incident and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the "purification." He said, "This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a 'purification' ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand." He also alleged that the ritual was "another name for untouchability" and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an FIR against those involved. "This shows the BJP and RSS' mindset. They don't want a Dalit to become prosperous and live According to the Constitution this is a crime," he said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later backed that demand, calling the episode a "reprehensible and shameful mindset" and alleging that it amounted to a violation of the SC/ST Act.
The Congress has condemned the FIR against Gandhi, with leaders Randeep Surjewala, Kumari Selja and Pawan Khera questioning why the Uttarakhand BJP government had not booked those accused of carrying out the alleged "shuddhikaran" of the stage used by Kharge. Khera said an FIR was registered against the person who raised his voice against "shuddhikaran," but "not even a single FIR" had been filed against those who allegedly carried it out or orchestrated it. He also noted that Kharge had himself stood up in Parliament and said that the alleged purification had taken place.
Surjewala termed the case against Gandhi another sign of the BJP government's approach towards those questioning the Haldwani incident, saying, "By registering an FIR against Rahul, the cowardly BJP government has revealed its true face." Selja questioned the contrast between the police action against Gandhi and the absence of a case against those accused of the "shuddhikaran," and also questioned Prime Minister Modi's silence. She said the Congress would challenge the case through legal and democratic means and would continue raising the Haldwani issue.
Khera also referenced an earlier case involving Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who allegedly suffered severe pellet gun injuries during student protests on July 20, over which Gandhi had staged an eight-hour dharna outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR. "Do you think they will file an FIR? In the previous case where an FIR had to be filed against Lochab, Rahul Gandhi ji himself had to sit on a protest. Such a situation has been created," Khera said.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, however, said there was "no caste angle" in the incident and accused the Congress of trying to create divisions in Hindu society. The BJP also said that the venue had been left littered after Kharge's rally and that slogans raised there were not fit for a religious site.
Kharge had earlier raised the issue in Rajya Sabha, demanding action under laws prohibiting untouchability against those who "purified" the stage in Haldwani. The Congress has since held several protests across Uttarakhand over the incident.
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Framing: Highlights Pawan Khera's demand for an FIR on Kharge's complaint and questions the silence of PM Modi and Amit Shah
Facts Included:
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their silence over the alleged 'purification' ritual row in Uttarakhand
Khera said, 'We are also waiting.'
Khera drew a comparison with the earlier case of Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who allegedly suffered severe pellet gun injuries during student protests on July 20
Khera noted that Rahul Gandhi had staged an eight-hour dharna outside Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR in the Lochab case
Haldwani City Kotwali Police registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi following a complaint over his statements regarding the 'shuddhikaran yajna' conducted at the venue where Kharge had addressed a Congress rally on August 8
The FIR was registered on August 30 on a complaint by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community, alleging that Rahul Gandhi's remarks hurt the sentiments of the Scheduled Caste community
Police invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, including Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u), along with Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the purification ritual was 'another name for untouchability' and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act
Gandhi said, 'This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a 'purification' ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand.'
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said there was 'no caste angle' in the incident and accused Congress of trying to divide Hindu society
The controversy began after a Congress rally at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 8, where Kharge spoke ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections
Framing: The headline emphasizes the legal action against Rahul Gandhi, specifically an FIR over his remarks on the Haldwani purification ritual.
Facts Included:
Police have booked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after a complaint said he gave a casteist reading to a 'purification' ritual at the Haldwani venue of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's
Gandhi, speaking at a Delhi press conference on August 29, sought action under the SC/ST Act against the people linked to the ritual.
Police informed on Sunday that the FIR was filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with conflict between groups and acts meant to hurt religious feelings.
Officers also invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The complaint was filed by Amit Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar and a member of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas.
Kumar said he was present at the 'ritual and cleanliness drive' and that Gandhi's comments in Delhi hurt the Valmiki community's sentiments.
He also said he is from the Scheduled Caste community, that people from several groups, including Scheduled Castes, took part in the ritual and that the event had 'no connection' with Kharge's caste.
The dispute followed some people allegedly performing a 'purification yajna' at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground on August 11, days after Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8.
The Congress said the episode reflected the BJP's anti-Dalit mindset, while the BJP said the venue had been left littered after Kharge's rally and that slogans raised there were not fit for a religious site.
At the August 29 press conference, Gandhi criticised the incident and asked for an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the 'purification'.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later backed that demand, calling the episode a 'reprehensible and shameful mindset' and alleging that it amounted to a violation of the SC/ST Act.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the Congress's criticism of the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and highlights its demand for action over the Kharge 'shuddhikaran' incident.
Facts Included:
The Congress on Monday condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress said the 'real issue' was why the Uttarakhand BJP government had not booked those accused of carrying out the alleged 'shuddhikaran' of a stage used by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani.
Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Kumari Selja and Pawan Khera questioned the action against Rahul, accusing the BJP of promptly booking a leader who spoke against the alleged act while taking no action against those accused of carrying it out.
Khera said an FIR was registered against the person who raised his voice against 'shuddhikaran', but 'not even a single FIR' had been filed against those who allegedly carried it out or orchestrated it.
Khera said Kharge had himself stood up in Parliament and said that the alleged purification had taken place.
Surjewala termed the case against Rahul another sign of the BJP government's approach towards those questioning the Haldwani incident.
Surjewala said Kharge had spoken both inside and outside Parliament about how the incident had hurt him, while BJP leaders were offering arguments in its defence.
Selja questioned the contrast between the police action against Rahul and the absence of a case against those accused of the 'shuddhikaran'.
Selja questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence.
Selja said the Congress would challenge the case through legal and democratic means and would continue raising the Haldwani issue.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimPolice have booked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after a complaint said he gave a casteist reading to a 'purification' ritual at the Haldwani venue of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's rally.
ClaimPolice informed on Sunday that the FIR was filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with conflict between groups and acts meant to hurt religious feelings. Officers also invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
ClaimKumar said he is from the Scheduled Caste community, that people from several groups, including Scheduled Castes, took part in the ritual and that the event had 'no connection' with Kharge's caste.
ClaimThe dispute followed some people allegedly performing a 'purification yajna' at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground on August 11, days after Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8.
ClaimThe Congress said the episode reflected the BJP's anti-Dalit mindset, while the BJP said the venue had been left littered after Kharge's rally and that slogans raised there were not fit for a religious site.
ClaimAt the August 29 press conference, Gandhi criticised the incident and asked for an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the 'purification'.
ClaimPriyanka Gandhi Vadra later backed that demand, calling the episode a 'reprehensible and shameful mindset' and alleging that it amounted to a violation of the SC/ST Act.
ClaimTwo days later, the right-wing group Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted the ritual to counter slogans raised by Congress members during the rally and Kharge's previous statement comparing BJP and RSS to a 'poisonous snake.'
ClaimKharge had raised the issue in Rajya Sabha, demanding action under laws prohibiting untouchability against those who 'purified' the stage in Haldwani.
Claim"This shows the BJP and RSS' mindset. They don't want a Dalit to become prosperous and live respectfully....According to the Constitution this is a crime," he said.
ClaimCongress leader Pawan Khera on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their silence over the alleged 'purification' ritual row in Uttarakhand, questioning whether an FIR would be filed on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's complaint.
ClaimKhera said, "We are also waiting. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister opened their mouths. It was expected from Amit Shah ji and Narendra Modi ji that at least they should open their mouths and condemn it, saying that this purification was wrong."
ClaimDrawing a comparison with an earlier case, Khera said, "Do you think they will file an FIR? In the previous case where an FIR had to be filed against Lochab, Rahul Gandhi ji himself had to sit on a protest. Such a situation has been created."
ClaimKhera's reference was to Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student who allegedly suffered severe pellet gun injuries during student protests on July 20, over which Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier had staged an eight-hour dharna outside the Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR.
ClaimHaldwani City Kotwali Police registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi following a complaint over his statements regarding the 'shuddhikaran yajna' (purification ritual) conducted at the venue where Kharge had addressed a Congress rally on August 8.
ClaimThe FIR was registered on August 30 on a complaint by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community, who alleged that Rahul Gandhi's remarks hurt the sentiments of the Scheduled Caste community.
ClaimPolice have invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, including Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u), along with Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
ClaimEarlier, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the purification ritual was "another name for untouchability" and demanded registration of an FIR against those involved under the SC/ST Act.
Claim"This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a 'purification' ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand," Gandhi had said.
ClaimThe controversy began after a Congress rally held at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 8, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.
ClaimThe Congress said the 'real issue' was why the Uttarakhand BJP government had not booked those accused of carrying out the alleged 'shuddhikaran' of a stage used by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani.
ClaimCongress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Kumari Selja and Pawan Khera questioned the action against Rahul, accusing the BJP of promptly booking a leader who spoke against the alleged act while taking no action against those accused of carrying it out.
ClaimKhera said an FIR was registered against the person who raised his voice against 'shuddhikaran', but 'not even a single FIR' had been filed against those who allegedly carried it out or orchestrated it.
ClaimSurjewala said Kharge had spoken both inside and outside Parliament about how the incident had hurt him, while BJP leaders were offering arguments in its defence.