Politics
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Kharge objects to Haldwani venue purification ritual
NDTV··13 Aug
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a purification havan at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan after his August 8 rally was against Hindu religion and aimed at dividing castes. Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas held the ritual on August 10. Kharge, who is Dalit, said there is no space for Dalits and that he had not named any community in his speech.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you use municipal Ramlila grounds for public meetings, this dispute is about who may book the space after a political rally and on what grounds a purification is held.
- Dalit readers can note Kharge described the havan as caste exclusion; the organisers described it as protecting a religious venue from political use and alleged slogans.
- Uttarakhand voters can separate the Congress allegation of BJP orchestration from the state BJP's on-record denial of any link to Shri Ram Sena.
What's Happening
- Kharge addressed the Vijay Shankhnaad rally at Haldwani Ramlila Maidan on August 8; Shri Ram Sena held a shuddhikaran havan there on August 10.
- Kharge said the act was against Hindu religion, divided castes, and showed there is no space for Dalits; he said his speech did not name a community or religion.
- BJP state spokesperson Khajan Das denied any party link and said slogans at the rally had hurt Sanatan sentiment; Congress state chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged BJP behest.
Why Ramlila Grounds Double as Rally Venues
- Ramlila maidans are often the largest open municipal spaces in a town, so parties of all sides routinely book them for public meetings outside the festive season.
- BJP national president J P Nadda said party members were not involved and that an inquiry could be held, according to NDTV's report of the parliamentary exchange.
- The controversy entered the last day of the monsoon session, which is why Kharge's remarks as Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha became part of the national record.
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