There’s “no house for Dalits” within the nation, claimed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who can also be a Dalit, reacting to the purification on the Ramlila Floor in Haldwani in Uttarakhand after he addressed a rally there earlier this week.
“We’ve got been saying all alongside that there isn’t any house for Dalits on this nation. They’re dividing everybody within the identify of faith. What was the necessity for a ‘havan’ there?” Kharge, who’s the Chief of the Opposition within the Rajya Sabha, mentioned.
Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on Saturday. Two days later, on August 10, a proper wing group, ‘Shri Ram Sena’, carried out a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) havan on the rally venue.
The Shri Ram Sena carried out a purification havan at M Kharge’s rally venue in Uttarakhand
“Ramlila Maidan is a venue for public conferences utilized by all events, however what they did was, firstly, in opposition to the Hindu faith itself. Secondly, they’re working to divide the nation and incite battle between castes,” he added, with out naming anybody.
The Congress chief raised the difficulty in parliament on Thursday, the final day of the Monsoon Session.
“I used to be in Haldwani the place I made a public speech at Ramlila Maidan. Lakhs of individuals had been there. At the moment, I didn’t point out the identify of any neighborhood or faith. I solely reiterated the problems of the federal government. However after my speech, folks of BJP carried out a havan there to ‘purify’ that stage. Is that this the best way in a democracy? How are you defending the Structure? I’m the LoP,” Kharge mentioned.
He then mentioned the “purification of the satge” made him really feel the sting of untauchability and humilitated him, underlining that he has the energy to struggle and can struggle.
“I don’t wish to flip this right into a political subject. I’ve by no means advised anybody that I’m Dalit, shield me, nor have I begged in entrance of anybody. I’ve the energy to struggle, and I do struggle. However in Haldwani, the purification of the stage made me really feel the sting of untouchability and humiliated me. My demand is a case must be registered below the Untouchability Act in opposition to those that purified the stage in Haldwani, and they need to be arrested and despatched to jail,” he mentioned.
मैं इस बात को राजनीतिक मुद्दा नहीं बनाना चाहता।
मैंने कभी किसी से यह नहीं कहा कि मैं दलित हूँ, मेरी रक्षा करो और न ही किसी के सामने गिड़गिड़ाया। मुझ में लड़ने की शक्ति है और मैं लड़ता हूँ।
लेकिन हल्द्वानी में स्टेज का शुद्धिकरण कर मुझे Untouchability का एहसास कराया गया और मेरा… pic.twitter.com/1wbqpcJC16
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 13, 2026
Responding to the cost within the Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda said that the incident was unlucky, and clarified that BJP members weren’t concerned. He additionally assured that an inquiry could be performed.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the ‘Shri Ram Sena’ group was related to the BJP. The BJP has denied the cost.
Godiyal claimed that the ritual was carried out as a result of Kharge belongs to the Dalit neighborhood, and accused the BJP of making divisions in society within the identify of caste.
The Uttarakhand Congress chief additionally questioned the Nainital senior superintendent of police for not taking motion in opposition to the right-wing group.
“This incident displays caste-based discrimination and a narrow-minded mentality. The Congress believes in humanity, equality, and brotherhood, whereas such occasions promote hatred and division in society,” Godiyal mentioned, including “there isn’t any place for discrimination and untouchability in trendy democratic India”.
Reacting to the fees, BJP state spokesperson and Cupboard Minister Khajan Das claimed that sure slogans had been raised throughout Kharge’s rally on the Ramlila Floor which, he mentioned, damage the emotions of the Sanatan neighborhood.
He added that the Ramlila Floor is a spot of non secular significance, and folks had been angered by the chanting of slogans associated to a different faith there.
The BJP additionally dismissed the Congress’s allegation that the purification incident was associated to Kharge’s caste, with Das accusing the grand-old get together of disrespecting Dalit leaders, reminiscent of Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.
