'Congress misleading Dalit community': BJP rejects Rahul's claim of Kharge's insult in Haldwani purification ritual

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have dismissed allegations from the Congress party concerning a "purification" ritual conducted at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a public meeting addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

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I wish to state that there was no such intention; the Bharatiya Janata Party dissociates itself from this entirely. The BJP has nothing to do with it.

Uttarakhand minister and BJP leader Khajan Das asserted that his party had no connection to the incident. He accused the Congress of "attempting to mislead" the Dalit community, according to ANI news agency. The controversy arose after Kharge's rally on August 8, after which members of a right-wing group reportedly performed a purification ritual at the venue, drawing criticism from Congress leaders.

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The BJP has no connection with the incident and accused the Congress of attempting to mislead the Dalit community.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an FIR against those involved in the "shuddhikaran" or purification of the ground. Gandhi presented a video purportedly showing the BJP's Uttarakhand chief supporting the ritual, which he termed an "illegal act." He argued that this demonstrated the "BJP and RSS mindset" and their opposition to Dalit prosperity and respect. Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to file an FIR under the SC/ST Act, emphasizing that such acts are crimes according to the Constitution and that "shuddhikaran" is another term for untouchability, which he claimed the BJP practices.

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This shows the BJP and RSS mindset. They don’t want a Dalit to become prosperous and live respectfully.

Kharge himself had previously raised the issue at a Congress Working Committee meeting, lamenting that some party leaders had not addressed it. Minister Das reiterated that the BJP completely disassociated itself from the incident, stating, "The BJP has nothing to do with it." He added that if any organization conducted a "havan" or purification ritual, "that is their own affair," but criticized the "spreading of misinformation."

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We are not asking for anything impossible. According to the Constitution this is a crime. We are seeking justice for the Congress president.