Rahul Gandhi Demands Action Over Purification Ritual After Kharge's Rally

Rahul Gandhi has requested Prime Minister Modi to initiate an FIR under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Act regarding a purification ceremony that occurred after a Congress rally addressed by Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The incident involved members of the Shri Ram Sena performing a 'shuddhikaran' havan at the event site, which Gandhi described as an insult to Dalits.

Gandhi characterized the incident as reflective of the mindset of the BJP and RSS, suggesting that it demonstrates systemic issues affecting the treatment of minority communities in the region. He expressed the necessity for justice regarding what he labeled a 'crime' against Kharge.

In response to Gandhi's claims, Uttarakhand minister Khajan Das stated that the BJP was not connected to the purification ritual and accused Congress of attempting to mislead the Dalit community. The minister emphasized that the incident should not be linked to the party's principles or actions.

This development follows the Congress rally, which had taken place just two days prior, leading to heightened tensions surrounding the event. The engagement from both Congress and BJP highlights the ongoing political discord in Uttarakhand.

Separately, Gandhi chose not to comment on the controversy surrounding his mother Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir, focusing instead on the issue at hand regarding the Kharge incident.