New Delhi : Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday strongly criticised the BJP and RSS over an alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual carried out at the site of party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, Gandhi said the incident exposed what he described as the “BJP-RSS mindset” towards Dalits and accused the ruling establishment of remaining silent despite what he called a criminal act.
“This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a ‘purification’ ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand,” Gandhi said. The controversy erupted after an alleged purification ceremony was held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground following Kharge’s August 8 Congress rally.
“Purification is actually just another name for untouchability. Untouchability was outlawed, yet BJP members practise it openly,” he alleged. He said the message conveyed by such an act was that Dalits were “unclean” and should not be touched. Gandhi then widened his attack, asking what such discrimination could mean for Dalit children if a senior leader such as Kharge could be subjected to it.
He also referred to discrimination at village wells and tea stalls, claiming Dalits in some places are served disposable cups while others are given reusable glasses. “This is the reality of India. This is the reality of Uttar Pradesh, the reality of North India, and you can see this in cities and villages,” Gandhi said. Gandhi framed the Haldwani controversy as part of a much larger political battle between the Constitution and the ideology of the BJP-RSS.
“We are demanding justice for the Congress president. Give the Congress president justice in Uttarakhand. It is the duty of the central and state governments to ensure that Kharge gets justice,” he said. Gandhi, however, said the Congress would continue to pursue the matter even if the BJP government did not act. “Even if BJP does not do it, we will get it done. Entire Congress party will not let that man escape either today or tomorrow,” he said. He said the next step was now with the authorities and warned that the party would respond if no action was taken.
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