Congress Leaders Accuse BJP of Targeting Rahul Gandhi Over Haldwani 'Purification' Ritual FIR

Congress Leaders Condemn FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Over Purification Ritual Remarks

Congress leaders have strongly criticized the FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi in connection with his remarks on an alleged 'purification' ritual in Uttarakhand, with senior party leaders accusing the BJP of targeting those who speak against Dalit atrocities and announcing nationwide protests.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, in a post on X, alleged that the FIR was aimed at silencing voices against Dalit rights. "The day after LOP Sh. Rahul Gandhi ji's bold Press Conference demanding that BJP workers be prosecuted for the 'purification' done after Kharge ji's rally, the Uttarakhand Police has filed an FIR against Rahul ji himself!" Venugopal said, adding, "This is nothing but the pot calling the kettle black."

Protests in Delhi Led by Devender Yadav

On Tuesday, Congress workers held protests across the national capital condemning the FIR, according to a party statement. The demonstrations were led by Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, who alleged that the Uttarakhand Police registered the FIR against Gandhi instead of acting against those responsible for the alleged insult to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

"This FIR exposes the fear and casteist mindset of the BJP," Yadav said, as quoted in the statement. He contended that the FIR was an attempt to silence those raising their voice against atrocities on Dalits and marginalised sections.

Yadav said the Congress would intensify its protests until those responsible for the alleged insult to Kharge were brought to book. "We will not rest until the real culprits of the insult to Kharge ji are punished, and this frivolous FIR against Rahul ji is thrown in the dustbin," he asserted.

Venugopal Accuses BJP of Defending Casteist Behaviour

Venugopal accused the BJP of defending the alleged ritual, calling it "abhorrently casteist behaviour" and asserting that the party had "shown to the entire world that they are the biggest perpetrators of social injustice today." He alleged that the government was using state power against those raising concerns over Dalit issues. "They are willing to put the entire might of the state to attack those who speak against Dalit atrocities," Venugopal said.

Describing the FIR as an attack on constitutional values, Venugopal said, "What the BJP has done is to attack the values of social justice enshrined in the Constitution, and the Congress will fight against this attack tooth and nail."

Nationwide Protests Announced

Venugopal announced that Congress workers would hold protests across the country over the issue. "This evening, Congress workers across the country will be on the streets demanding prosecution of the BJP leaders who insulted Kharge ji and to defend our Constitution against the BJP's assault on its values of social justice," he said.

The FIR was registered in Uttarakhand after Gandhi demanded action against BJP-RSS workers who allegedly carried out the 'purification' ritual at a venue where Kharge had addressed a rally.