Kharge calls Haldwani ‘purification’ untouchability, urges Nadda to ensure FIR
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday described the alleged “purification” carried out at the site of his rally in Haldwani last month as an act of “untouchability” and urged Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J P Nadda to ensure that an FIR is registered against those involved.
In a letter to Nadda dated September 2, Kharge recalled that he had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13 and said the Union minister had assured the House that the incident would be investigated and strict action taken against those found guilty.
Kharge said he was surprised that even 24 days after the incident, no FIR had been registered against the individuals or organisations allegedly involved in the “purification” at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani.
“The most objectionable aspect of this incident was that at the Ramlila Maidan site where I addressed the rally, purification was carried out, contrary to the spirit of the Indian Constitution and human values,” Kharge said in his letter.
He linked the practice to untouchability and recalled the Mahad movement led by B R Ambedkar, referring to a similar “purification” ritual performed after Ambedkar drew water from a public pond.
Kharge said the issue went beyond him or his position as Congress president and concerned millions of people who face caste-based discrimination.
“I, therefore, urge you once again -- in light of these facts and the assurances given in the Rajya Sabha -- to direct the chief minister of Uttarakhand to ensure that an FIR is registered against the individuals and organisations involved in the ‘purification’ incident,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Kharge questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the incident and said the Congress would approach Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.
The controversy began after individuals allegedly performed a “purification yajna” at Ramlila Ground on August 11, three days after Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8.
On August 29, Rahul Gandhi criticised the incident and demanded an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those responsible.
The Congress has also criticised the Uttarakhand government after an FIR was filed against Gandhi over his remarks on the alleged purification of the venue.
