Mallu Ravi urges President Murmu to intervene in caste-based purification row

Congress MP Mallu Ravi has formally requested President Droupadi Murmu to intervene following reports of an alleged caste-based ‘purification’ or Shuddhikaran ceremony conducted after a visit to Haldwani by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

In a letter dated September 2, 2026, Ravi expressed profound concern regarding the incident, noting that Kharge holds the constitutional position of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Ravi argued that the alleged act constitutes caste discrimination and violates constitutional principles, specifically citing Articles 14, 15, and 17, which address equality before the law and the abolition of untouchability.

As a member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Ravi has called for a fair, impartial, and time-bound inquiry. He requested the identification of those involved in organizing the ceremony and demanded strict legal action if the investigation confirms instances of caste-based humiliation or offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act.