Uttarakhand venue ‘purification’: AP Congress burns RSS effigies over Kharge ‘humiliation’

Amaravati:  Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders burnt effigies across the state on Friday, targeting the RSS, to protest against the alleged ‘purification’ of a rally venue in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani following a public meeting addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge recently.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president Kolanukonda Sivaji demanded that the BJP explain why it remained “silent” over the incident in which Kharge was allegedly subjected to “humiliation and caste discrimination,” said a press release from the party.

“A large number of Congress leaders and workers participated in the protest, raising slogans against caste discrimination and religious hatred,” said a press release from the party, adding that effigies were burnt targeting the RSS.

Sivaji recalled that when former Congress minister Mani Shankar Aiyar had allegedly made remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress party immediately took action against him without issuing any notice.

It was made clear then that the Congress Party would not “tolerate” politics that divide people in the name of caste or religion under any circumstances, he said.

Sivaji appealed to democrats, civil society and the youth to stand with the Congress party in protecting the values of equality, social justice and fraternity guaranteed by the Constitution, said the press release.

In a symbolic protest, Sivaji also burnt shorts in Vijayawada, in an apparent reference to the RSS’ older uniform.

Further, the Congress leaders demanded that cases be registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those involved in the “purification” of the venue.

Meanwhile, there was no immediate reaction from local BJP leaders.

Kharge had earlier alleged that people associated with the BJP carried out the ‘purification’ of the stage where he had spoken, and demanded action against those responsible under laws dealing with untouchability.