Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A visibly hurt Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns with senior party leaders at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday, expressing disappointment that many CWC members had not openly condemned the “purification” incident in his support.
Kharge Expresses Displeasure Over Lack of Support from Colleagues
Kharge told the party leaders present that he was hurt by the lack of open support from several CWC members on the issue, referring to the incident in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani where certain Hindutva organisations conducted a “purification” ritual at the venue where he had addressed a rally. While Kharge did not name specific leaders, sources said his body language suggested he was upset by the muted response from some senior party figures.
Incident Traced to Right-Wing Group’s Havan at Rally Venue
Kharge had addressed the “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on August 8. Two days later, on August 10, the right-wing group Shri Ram Sena performed a “shuddhikaran” (purification) havan at the same venue.
Congress Alleges BJP-RSS Links to Purification Ritual
Briefing the media on the CWC deliberations, party general secretary K.C. Venugopal called the incident “unacceptable” and “condemnable,” alleging that it reflected the BJP’s underlying mindset. Congress further alleged that those who performed the ritual had links to the BJP and RSS, claiming the act exposed an “anti-Dalit mindset.” BJP, meanwhile, distanced itself from the right-wing organisation’s actions and condemned the purification ritual.
Kharge Raises Issue in Parliament, Demands Action Under Untouchability Act
Kharge also raised the matter in Parliament on Thursday, the final day of the Monsoon Session, stating that while he did not wish to politicise the issue and had never sought protection by invoking his Dalit identity, the purification of the stage in Haldwani had made him feel subjected to untouchability and left him humiliated. He demanded that a case be registered under the Untouchability Act against those responsible, with their immediate arrest. Responding in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister JP Nadda called the incident unfortunate, clarified that BJP members were not involved, and assured that an inquiry would be conducted.
