Kharge Rally 'Purification': Rahul Gandhi Calls for FIR, Slams BJP-RSS Mindset

NEW DELHI, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned a "purification ritual" performed at a public ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a rally by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Gandhi, addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday (August 29, 2026), pressed for the immediate registration of an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those involved.

He called the act a "crime" and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure justice.

The incident in question occurred after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the "Vijay Shankhnaad" rally at Haldwani's Ramlila ground on August 8, 2026. Two days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena reportedly carried out a 'shuddhikaran havan' or purification ritual at the very same venue.

Mr. Gandhi stated that this incident "shows the BJP-RSS' mindset," accusing them of practicing untouchability, which he highlighted as a crime under the Constitution.

He emphasized, "We are demanding justice for the Congress president.

Give the Congress president justice in Uttarakhand.

It is the duty of the central and state governments to ensure that Kharge gets justice."

He further pointed out that Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt had defended the ritual, reportedly claiming the venue was "polluted with slogans." Gandhi questioned,

If such a thing can be done against senior person like Mallikarjun Kharge, imagine what can be done to a four-year-old in a school.

He reiterated that the incident underscores the BJP-RSS's alleged belief that "Dalits don’t want to live with dignity and success."

It is worth noting that during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister and former BJP national president J.P. Nadda had condemned the incident in the Rajya Sabha and assured that an investigation would be launched into the matter.

#HaldwaniIncident #JusticeForKharge #RahulGandhi