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3 clusters · 31 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Controversy over ritual at Congress rally in Uttarakhand

Overview

A political controversy emerged in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a ‘purification’ ritual performed at the Ramlila Maidan stage after a Congress party rally on August 8. Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress National President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, raised the issue in Parliament, stating that the ceremony made him feel the “sting of untouchability” due to his Dalit background.

Kharge alleged that individuals associated with the BJP conducted the ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony on the stage he used and demanded legal action under the Untouchability Act. The Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, the group reportedly responsible for the ritual, claimed the ceremony was necessary because slogans supporting Islam were allegedly raised during the rally.

In response, Union Minister JP Nadda described the incident as regrettable and promised a full investigation, stating the BJP does not endorse such activities. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami denied any BJP involvement, characterizing the act as a protest by independent organizations and accusing the Congress party of using a “Dalit angle” for political gain.

The incident drew widespread condemnation from leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and D. K. Shivakumar, who described it as a manifestation of caste-based discrimination.

During a recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Kharge expressed personal distress over a perceived lack of support from within his own party regarding the Haldwani incident. He criticized certain leaders for their silence and noted that some members have issued statements or written articles that deviate from the official party line. The CWC subsequently passed a resolution condemning the incident and demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. General Secretary K.C. Venugopal characterized the episode as a reflection of a discriminatory mindset.

Entities

Mallikarjun Kharge · Haldwani · Bharatiya Janata Party · Indian National Congress · Congress Working Committee

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes Congress leaders over Haldwani ritual silence

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed frustration at senior leaders for their silence regarding a controversial ‘purification’ ritual held in Haldwani following his recent public address.

  2. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    DK Shivakumar condemns site purification after Mallikarjun Kharge rally

    Karnataka CM D. K. Shivakumar condemned the ‘purification’ of a site in Haldwani used by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, calling it a shameful act of caste discrimination and an insult to the Constitution.

  3. 10 days ago

    [POLITICS] 22 sources
    Mallikarjun Kharge alleges caste discrimination after Haldwani rally purification ritual

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged caste discrimination after a ‘purification’ ritual was performed at his rally venue in Haldwani. The BJP denies involvement and has promised an investigation.

Sources

bhaskarhindi.com · bilkulonline.com · deccanchronicle.com · desitalkchicago.com · digitalchew.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · groenconsult.nl · hindi.news18.com · hindutamil.in · indias.news · justicenews.co.in · kannada.asianetnews.com · loveletters.com · madhyamamonline.com · mathrubhumi.com · nakkheeran.in · news.abplive.com · news18.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · newsbytesapp.com · pioneeredge.in · samacharnama.com · scroll.in · siasat.com · thenews21.com · theshillongtimes.com · timesnowhindi.com · timesnownews.com · varthabharati.in · vishwavani.news · yespunjab.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history