Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, expressed strong displeasure over an incident in which a stage was reportedly “purified” following a Congress rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, calling it a deep insult inflicted upon him.
Kharge Says He Was Made to Feel Subjected to Untouchability
In a post on X, Kharge said he did not wish to turn the matter into a political issue and had never sought protection by invoking his Dalit identity, asserting that he has always had the strength to fight his own battles. However, he said that the purification of the stage in Haldwani made him feel subjected to untouchability, describing it as a grave insult.
Kharge Raises Issue in Rajya Sabha, Demands Arrests Under Anti-Untouchability Law
Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha, demanding that those responsible for the stage’s purification be booked under the Anti-Untouchability Act and arrested immediately.
Incident Followed Congress Rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan
The controversy stems from an incident on August 8, when Kharge addressed a Congress public rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. It has been alleged that after his departure, certain right-wing organisations reportedly linked to the BJP washed the stage with Ganga water and performed a havan to “purify” it.
Nadda Condemns Incident, Rajya Sabha Sees Uproar
Kharge’s remarks triggered significant uproar in the Rajya Sabha on the final day of the Monsoon Session. House Leader and Union Minister JP Nadda strongly condemned the incident, stating that the BJP never supports such activities and calling it a matter of regret for the entire country. He assured that the matter would be investigated and that action would be taken against those responsible. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also condemned the incident, stating that there is no greater sin than untouchability, and directed the government to conduct a fair investigation to identify and punish the guilty.
