Kharge’s Haldwani event venue ‘purification’ sparks row; Congress alleges BJP link

A political row erupted after a right-wing outfit reportedly conducted ‘purification’ rituals at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground, where Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally. Kharge alleged caste bias, while BJP leader J P Nadda denied party involvement and assured an inquiry

New Delhi: A major political controversy has erupted over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s event, held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground on August 8, where he addressed a public gathering. The ground reportedly underwent ‘purification’ (shuddhikaran) by a local right-wing outfit named Shri Ram Sena.

According to Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal, the outfit, allegedly linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), organised ‘purification’ rituals at the ground because Mallikarjun Kharge is a Dalit and it was to further the BJP’s politics and agenda to divide society on caste and religious lines.

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The controversy found strong reverberations in the national capital, with the Congress chief taking objections to ‘havan’ at the venue, first during his conversation with the scribes and then in Parliament too.

Kharge, speaking in Rajya Sabha on the last day of the Monsoon Session, said, “I addressed a public meeting at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. In that public meeting, I did not mention the name of any caste or religion; I only spoke about the problems of the people.”

“But with great sorrow, I have to say that after my speech, BJP people performed a havan there and carried out the purification (shuddikaran) of that stage. Is this the way democracy works? How are you protecting the Constitution?” the visibly upset LoP in Rajya Sabha asked the treasury benches.

Kharge further said that he spent decades in Parliament but was subjected to such an act of ‘untouchability’.

Responding to Kharge’s charge, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said the incident was unfortunate and distressing but dismissed the charge that BJP workers were behind it. He also assured a due investigation into the matter.

“What Kharge ji said is really sad — not just for the Congress party but for all of us. BJP does not subscribe to such activities. Never. But we will investigate this. I assure you that whatever happened there will certainly be investigated. But I would like to make it clear that BJP does not subscribe to such activities. I condemn this. The national president will look into this. It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt,” Nadda said.

The row erupted over Kharge’s ‘Vijay Shankhnaad’ rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on August 8. It was two days later, on August 10, when a right-wing outfit named ‘Shri Ram Sena’ performed ‘purification’ and havan at the same venue.