India
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Rahul Gandhi seeks FIR after August 8 Haldwani ritual
The Hindu··29 Aug
Rahul Gandhi on August 29 pressed for an FIR under the SC/ST law after a shuddhikaran havan at Haldwani's Ramlila ground. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally there on August 8. Members of the Shri Ram Sena reportedly performed the ritual two days later. Gandhi said the Congress wants the Prime Minister to order the registration.
Prism
What It Means For You
- An FIR under the SC/ST Act would open a criminal probe into the reported purification ritual at a public rally venue.
- Uttarakhand residents following the case will watch whether state or central authorities register the complaint.
- Congress leaders frame the episode as caste discrimination against party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
What's Happening
- Gandhi spoke at a press conference and played a video of Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defending the ritual.
- He said BJP-RSS people practice untouchability, which he called a crime under the Constitution.
- During the Monsoon Session, Union Minister J.P. Nadda had condemned the incident in the Rajya Sabha and said an investigation would be taken up.
How the Haldwani Dispute Unfolded
- Kharge addressed the Vijay Shankhnaad rally at Haldwani's Ramlila ground on August 8, 2026.
- Congress leaders allege the ritual targeted Kharge because he is a Dalit.
- The BJP has denied involvement and described the ceremony as a customary religious practice not linked to Kharge's visit.
all-news
