Congress Leaders Condemn FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Over Haldwani 'Purification' Row
Congress leaders have condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in connection with the Haldwani 'purification' ritual controversy, with protests planned in Uttarakhand and Haryana. The FIR, filed on August 30 by Haldwani City Kotwali Police, followed a complaint by Amit Kumar, a member of the Scheduled Caste community, according to ANI.
The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) concerning the promotion of enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, as well as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. According to Daily Excelsior, the complaint alleged that Gandhi gave a "casteist spin" to a religious ritual held at the venue of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's public meeting.
The controversy stems from an incident on August 11, when members of Shri Ram Sena allegedly performed a 'purification yajna' (havan and sprinkling of Ganga water) at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, following a rally by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8. Congress has termed the incident a violation of constitutional protections against untouchability, while Kharge has demanded the arrest of those responsible under the Untouchability (Offences) Act.
Congress Reactions
Speaking in Delhi, Congress leader Kumari Selja criticised the FIR, alleging that the action reflected a discriminatory mindset. Selja said the party was attempting to lodge FIRs at police stations across Uttarakhand over the "purification" ritual and would take further steps if police refused to register them. She noted that a high-level Congress delegation had met the Governor and submitted a memorandum demanding an FIR, but no action followed. Selja announced that the party was planning a major agitation on September 7 as part of its ongoing actions.
"A high-level delegation of ours met the Governor and submitted a memorandum demanding an FIR, but nothing came of it. Now, we are planning a major agitation on the 7th; this series of actions is ongoing," Selja said, as quoted by ANI. She also alleged that the controversy was being used as elections approach in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere.
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the FIR against Rahul Gandhi had exposed what he termed the "anti-Dalit mindset" of the BJP and its government in Uttarakhand. "The anti-Dalit mindset of the BJP and its government in Uttarakhand stands exposed threadbare with the lodging of an FIR against none other than Rahul Gandhi," Surjewala said, according to ANI. He added that 78 years after the enactment of the Constitution, the right to equality for members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, poor and backward classes continued to remain a "mirage", alleging that people in positions of power discriminated against citizens on the basis of caste and economic status.
Haryana Congress Protest
In Chandigarh, Haryana Congress MLAs and other leaders, led by former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, held a protest outside the Haryana Congress office on Tuesday demanding the withdrawal of the FIR. Protesters, including MLAs Geeta Bhukkal and Raghuvir Singh Kadian, held placards calling for the FIR to be withdrawn, as reported by Daily Excelsior.
Speaking to reporters, Hooda said Gandhi had demanded registration of an FIR in the 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ceremony issue, but instead he had been booked. "It is wrong. It shows that they are anti-Dalits," Hooda said, attacking the BJP.
Background
The political row erupted after Gandhi attacked the BJP and RSS over the 'shuddhikaran' ceremony, calling it a form of untouchability being practised and demanding an FIR against those involved. At a press conference in New Delhi on August 29, Gandhi criticised the incident and demanded registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the 'purification'.
The BJP has defended the actions of those who performed the yajna, claiming that the venue was left littered after Kharge's rally and that slogans were raised. The Congress has rejected this, maintaining that the incident reflects the BJP's anti-Dalit mindset.