New Delhi/Haldwani: A political controversy has erupted over a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan two days after Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8.
A group called Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas conducted a havan at the venue on August 10. Congress has described the act as an expression of caste discrimination and untouchability, pointing to Kharge’s identity as a Dalit leader. The organisers, however, have given a different explanation, saying the ground has religious and cultural significance and objecting to its use for a political programme and to slogans allegedly raised during the rally. The BJP has denied having any connection with the organisation that conducted the ritual.
The controversy escalated sharply on Thursday, August 13, after Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha and said the incident made him feel that he was being treated as “untouchable”. He demanded that those responsible be booked under the law dealing with untouchability and arrested.
Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan stated, "If Kharge-ji is insulted, it is an insult to everyone." Following this, Kharge remarked, "This is an insult to the Constitution." Meanwhile, Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and Union Minister JP Nadda expressed regret over the incident, stating that the BJP does not endorse such activities and that the matter would be investigated.
Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attacked the BJP and RSS over the incident and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemn the act and apologise.
The issue has now become part of the larger political confrontation between the Congress and BJP, even as Parliament's Monsoon Session concluded on Thursday amid repeated disruptions.
Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a Congress public meeting at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. The rally was part of the Congress's political preparations in Uttarakhand ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.
Two days later, on August 10, members of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted a havan at the same venue. Visuals of the ritual subsequently circulated on social media, triggering a political controversy.
The symbolism of the ceremony became particularly contentious because it was conducted at the same stage that had been used by Kharge for his address.
Congress leaders interpreted the ritual as a message that the venue had become ‘impure’ after Kharge, a Dalit leader, had spoken there.
The organisers have disputed that interpretation.
According to a person seen defending the ritual in a video, the platform was meant for Hindu religious and cultural programmes. He objected to its use for a political meeting and alleged that slogans were raised during the Congress programme that hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. He also referred to past statements attributed to Kharge about Hindutva organisations.
The controversy reached the Rajya Sabha on August 13, when Kharge personally raised the matter.
Kharge said he had gone to Haldwani and addressed a public meeting at Ramlila Maidan where a large gathering was present. He said he had not mentioned any particular community or religion during his speech and had only raised issues concerning the government.
He then questioned why a havan was performed at the stage after his speech. Kharge said:
“I was in Haldwani where I made a public speech at Ramlila Maidan. Lakhs of people were there. At that time, I did not mention the name of any community or religion; I only reiterated the issues of the government.”
He alleged that people associated with the BJP subsequently performed a havan to “purify” the stage and asked whether such conduct was compatible with democracy and the protection of the Constitution.
Kharge made it clear that he did not want to portray himself as someone seeking protection because of his caste.
He said he had never gone to anyone saying that he was a Dalit and therefore needed protection, nor had he pleaded before anyone.
“I have the strength to fight, and I fight,” he said.
But, according to Kharge, the Haldwani incident was different because the purification of the stage after his speech made him feel that he was being treated as an untouchable. He said the incident had humiliated him. Kharge demanded legal action against those who carried out the purification. His demand was that those responsible should be booked under the law relating to untouchability and arrested and sent to jail.
Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal condemned the incident. "It is deeply distressing and condemnable that the very stage from which the Honorable National President, Mallikarjun Kharge, addressed the public at the Congress rally in Haldwani was subjected to a 'purification' ritual by individuals associated with the BJP. This incident reflects caste-based discrimination and a narrow mindset. The Congress believes in humanity, equality, and brotherhood, whereas such incidents foster animosity and division in society. We urge the SSP of Nainital to take cognizance of this matter, conduct an impartial investigation, and ensure appropriate action is taken against the guilty if the law has been violated. There is no place for discrimination and untouchability in modern democratic India. We vehemently oppose such a mindset through democratic and constitutional means. Mahatma Gandhi had said, "Untouchability is a crime against God." Humanity and equality constitute the supreme religion," Godiyal said.
Congress general secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday sharply criticised the incident. She described the purification of the stage used by Kharge as an expression of the “fallen mindset” of the BJP-RSS and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemn the incident and apologise.
Priyanka Gandhi also linked the Haldwani controversy to the functioning of Parliament. Speaking to reporters on the final day of the Monsoon Session, she criticised Home Minister Amit Shah's attendance and said that the Home Minister had come on the final day only to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.
She said: “The Home Minister has come today, only to sing ‘Vande Mataram’... The entire session has taken place; neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister attended. How, then, can this democracy and this Parliament function?” Her comments came as the Monsoon Session ended on August 13, with both Houses adjourned sine die amid continuing protests and disruptions.
BJP Cabinet Minister and Spokesperson Khajan Das rejected the allegations as baseless and false, stating the party had no connection to the group or the ritual. Das said slogans allegedly raised during Mr. Kharge’s rally had offended those who believed in Sanatan Dharma.
He accused the Congress of trying to shift the focus of the controversy by portraying the purification ceremony as an issue of caste and alleged that the party was attempting to divide society along caste lines. He further criticised the opposition over its historical approach to Sanatan traditions and referred to controversies involving leaders such as Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Sitaram Kesri and Babu Jagjivan Ram, alleging that the party had a record of disrespecting prominent Dalit leaders.
Union Minister JP Nadda stated in Parliament that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities. After Kharge raised the matter, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda condemned the reported incident and said the BJP did not support such activities.
Nadda told Kharge that what he had described was regrettable and said the matter would be investigated. He stated that the BJP “does not subscribe to such activities” and assured the House that the allegations would be examined.
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