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Controversy Erupts Over 'Shuddhikaran' at Mallikarjun Kharge's Rally Venue

The 'shuddhikaran' ritual conducted by Shri Ram Sena after Kharge's rally has sparked accusations linking the group to the BJP.

13 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Controversy Erupts Over 'Shuddhikaran' at Mallikarjun Kharge's Rally Venue — Archive photoPhoto: Al Jazeera English · Flickr · BY-SA

Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the 'Vijay Shankhnaad' rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, on August 8. Two days later, on August 10, a group known as Shri Ram Sena performed a purification ceremony at the same venue. Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal has alleged that the Shri Ram Sena has links to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Godiyal further claimed that the ritual was conducted specifically due to Kharge's identity as a Dalit, indicating an underlying motive connected to caste. This allegation has drawn responses from various political figures, including BJP leader J.P. Nadda, who expressed regret over the situation in the Rajya Sabha.

Kharge himself reacted strongly to the 'shuddhikaran' ceremony, stating that it was humiliating for him. The incidents surrounding the rally and subsequent rituals have sparked a broader political discourse regarding caste and the use of space in political events.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the Congress party and the BJP in Uttarakhand as both parties navigate the implications of identity politics in their public engagements.

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