Mallikarjun Kharge condemns ‘shuddhikaran’ ritual after his Uttarakhand visit; J.P. Nadda expresses regret in Rajya Sabha

On the final day of the Parliament Monsoon Session on Thursday (August 13, 2026), Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge within the Rajya Sabha condemned the ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony reportedly held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Floor after he addressed a rally there on Saturday (August 8).

Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which carried out the ritual, had hyperlinks to the BJP and the purification was accomplished as a result of Mr. Kharge is a Dalit. He accused the BJP of selling caste-based divisions and described the incident as deeply objectionable.

“If Kharge ji is insulted, which means everyone seems to be insulted,” mentioned Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan earlier than permitting Mr. Kharge to talk on the incident.

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“I say, with so much if remorse, that I went to ship a public deal with at Haldwani. At the moment, I didn’t take any faith’s identify, solely introduced up individuals’s points. After my speech, individuals of the BJP did a “shuddikaran”. Is that this the best way in democracy? How are you defending the Structure?” Mr. Kharge mentioned, amid uproar.

Nadda says enquiry shall be initiated

Chief of the Home J.P. Nadda slammed the ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony, saying that an enquiry shall be initiated into the incident and motion shall be taken in opposition to the individuals concerned. Mr. Nadda mentioned, “What Kharge mentioned, it’s actually unlucky. Not only for the Congress, however for all of us.”

Claiming that BJP doesn’t subscribe to such exercise, Mr. Nadda mentioned, “As a result of he mentioned they had been BJP individuals, I wish to make clear that the BJP doesn’t subscribe to such actions. However due to the claims, we are going to examine. National President Nitin Nabin will take this critically. We apologise for the damage it has brought on to you.”

“I didn’t wish to make this a political matter. I’m within the Home for thus a few years however have by no means sought sympathy over belonging to the Dalit group,” Mr. Kharge responded. He additionally demanded a case to be registered beneath the Untouchability Act, saying, “Register a case in opposition to this act of untouchability. That’s my demand,” Mr. Kharge mentioned.