DEHRADUN: The controversy over a 'purification' ritual held at the venue of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani has taken a fresh political and legal turn, with police registering a case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over alleged caste-related remarks.
The case was lodged at Haldwani Kotwali following a complaint by Vinod Kumar Arya and Amit Kumar, associated with the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas.
The complainants alleged that Rahul Gandhi used objectionable words referring to the Scheduled Caste community while commenting on the incident.
Police have booked the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3(1)(q) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The allegations have not yet been established, and police said the matter is under investigation.
The probe has been entrusted to Circle Officer Amit Kumar Saini.
Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Manjunath T C said, "The complainant stated that Rahul Gandhi’s comments and press conference had hurt him and members of his Dalit community.”
He also alleged that no information was sought from members of the Dalit community before the statements were made.
The controversy dates back to an August 8 Congress rally at Haldwani’s Ramleela Ground, addressed by Kharge.
Following the event, members of a Hindutva organisation allegedly conducted a “shuddhikaran yagna”, or purification ritual, at the venue, triggering sharp criticism from the Congress.
Amit Kumar maintained that the exercise was not directed against Kharge. He said his organisation had conducted a cleanliness drive and purification ceremony because the venue had been left littered after the rally.
“Rahul Gandhi has been making baseless statements about the purification programme,” Kumar alleged.
“We, along with members of the community, submitted a complaint seeking an impartial investigation and legal action.”
The development has further intensified the political war of words, with Congress leaders describing the ritual as an insult to Kharge, who belongs to Dalit community.
Those who organised the ceremony, however, have denied any caste motive.
Uttarakhand Congress chief spokesperson Garima Mahra Dasauni accused the ruling BJP of attempting to turn the issue against the Opposition.
“Our national president Mallikarjun Kharge was insulted, but, instead, a case has been lodged against a Congress leader,” Dasauni told TNIE.
“The BJP is resorting to such petty tactics out of desperation as it realises that its days in power are numbered,” Dasauni added.
