NEW DELHI: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday stepped up the Congress’ attack on the BJP over the alleged “shuddhikaran” of a rally venue in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensure an FIR is registered under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the ceremony carried out after party president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.The Congress general secretary said the alleged purification ceremony, held at Ramlila Maidan after Kharge’s August 8 address, was a “grave violation” of the Constitution and the SC/ST Act. She questioned why no action had been taken nearly 20 days after the incident.“If the honourable Prime Minister Modi ji truly respects the Constitution of our country, then he should ensure that an FIR is filed against those who committed this crime in Uttarakhand and that action is taken under the SC/ST Act,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X.She also shared a video of leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi‘s press conference in which he made a similar demand, accusing those behind the ceremony of practising untouchability and calling for action against them under the SC/ST Act.“Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji addressed a rally in Haldwani, after which people from BJP-RSS ‘purified’ his stage. This ‘purification’ is not only a symbol of an extremely reprehensible and shameful mindset but also a grave violation of our Constitution and the SC/ST Act, and a crime,” Priyanka said.
Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP-RSS ‘mindset’
Rahul Gandhi had on Saturday demanded that PM Modi order an FIR against those who carried out the alleged purification ceremony. He said the incident reflected what he described as an “BJP-RSS mindset” and alleged that it amounted to untouchability.“The incident reflects the mindset of the BJP-RSS people who continue to practice untouchability, and they do not want Dalits to progress and live with respect and be successful,” Gandhi said.“We are demanding justice for the Congress president… It is the duty of the central and state governments to ensure that Kharge gets justice,” he added.The former Congress chief also alleged that Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt had defended the purification ceremony while PM Modi had remained silent on the issue.“We demand that an FIR be lodged against those who have done this. PM Modi states that he belongs to every caste and is the prime minister of the country, but his party chief of Uttarakhand defends ‘shuddhikaran’,” Gandhi said.
BJP chief’s remarks trigger Congress criticism
The Congress has separately accused Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt of justifying the ceremony and questioned whether the ruling party would take action against him for allegedly defending untouchability.Bhatt had reportedly said the venue was polluted by slogans that were not appropriate for a religious place, while dismissing criticism of the purification ritual.
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The alleged ceremony took place at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani after Kharge addressed a gathering there on August 8. Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal has alleged that the Shri Ram Sena carried out the purification and was associated with the BJP. The ruling party has vehemently denied the allegation.The controversy has also reached Parliament. Kharge had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month and demanded that cases be registered under the law against untouchability against those involved and that they be arrested.Leader of the house and Union minister JP Nadda had said the BJP did not subscribe to such activities and that the incident would be investigated.
