J'khand Cong protests over alleged stage "purification" post-Kharge event

The Jharkhand Congress on Friday, Aug 14 took out a march in Ranchi to protest against the alleged "purification" of a rally venue in Uttarakhand's Haldwani following a public meeting addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

The march started from Ranchi College and concluded near Bapu Vatika in Morabadi.

"Today's protest was organised across all districts of Jharkhand. The Congress will continue to take to the streets and fight for the Constitution, democracy, brotherhood and equality," said the party's state president, Keshav Mahto Kamlesh. He said the party's stand was not against any specific individual, but against the mindset that "seeks to divide society along caste lines."

Kharge had earlier alleged that people associated with the BJP carried out the "purification" of the stage where he had spoken, and demanded action against those responsible under laws dealing with untouchability.

The Congress president had addressed the public meeting at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8.

(With inputs from PTI)