Rahul Gandhi Booked in Haldwani Over ‘Purification’ Remarks; FIR Registered Under BNS, SC/ST Act
Haldwani: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been booked in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani over his remarks on a controversial ‘purification’ ritual held at the venue of Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally.
The FIR was registered at Haldwani Kotwali following a complaint by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community. Kumar alleged that Gandhi’s remarks hurt the sentiments of his community.
The complaint relates to comments Gandhi made at a press conference in New Delhi on August 29. He had criticised the alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ ritual and described it as linked to untouchability. He also demanded an FIR against those responsible.
According to the complaint, Kumar was present during the ritual and a cleanliness drive at the Ramlila Ground. He claimed that people from different sections of society also participated in the programme.
Police have registered the case under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 3(1) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, has also been invoked.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The dispute began after a Congress rally addressed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground on August 8.
A ‘shuddhikaran’ havan was reportedly conducted at the same venue on August 11. The Congress alleged that the ritual reflected caste discrimination against Kharge, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
The organisers rejected the caste angle. They claimed the ritual was conducted to clean the venue after the rally. The BJP has also denied allegations of caste-based discrimination and defended the event.
Rahul Gandhi Had Earlier Demanded an FIR
Gandhi had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure an FIR against those behind the alleged purification ritual. He accused the BJP and RSS of promoting a mindset against Dalits.
The Congress has strongly criticised the FIR against Gandhi. The party has questioned why action was not taken against those who conducted the ritual.
The case has now added a fresh legal and political dimension to the Haldwani controversy. Police have begun investigating the allegations against Gandhi.