By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Political rallies and meetings have historically been organised at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand, but it never got purified with caste Hindu rituals, as it was done after the “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally held on August 8, 2026, which was addressed by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, who happened to be a Dalit. With untouchability in India a historical fact, Mallikarjun Kharge, being a Dalit, was naturally hurt. When Congress leader and the Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded on August 29 an FIR be registered over the “Shuddhikaran Havan” (burnt offering for purification), BJP led government in Uttarakhand registered an FIR against him next day on August 30.
Mallikarjun Kharge on August 13 in Rajya Sabha had said that the people associated with the BJP “purified” the stage two days after he made a speech there on August 8. Raising the issue during zero-hour Kharge had said, “I did not mention the name of any caste or religion, I only spoke about the problems of the people. But with great pain, I have to say that after my speech, BJP people performed a ‘havan’ there and carried out purification of the stage.” Kharge also demanded that cases be registered under Untouchability Act and those involved be arrested.
BJP leader and Union Minister JP Nadda had said the issue should not be politicised or sensationalised. He assured, “There will be a detailed investigation. Let me make it clear that BJP never subscribes to such activities. I condemn this. The incident has hurt your sentiments and it is a matter of regret for all of us.” However, what have happened thereafter was just opposite. BJP leaders and the BJP led government in Uttarakhand not only support the “purification” but also booked the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accusing him of making casteist remarks when he actually demanded an FIR be registered over “purification” and action taken.
Rahul Gandhi in a press conference in New Delhi on August 29 had urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order an FIR over the “shuddhikaran havan”. Calling the act a crime, Gandhi said that it illustrated the “untouchability” Dalits face across India and exposed the “BJP-RSS mindset”. Gandhi had reiterated that the Congress wants an FIR filed under the SC/ST Act against those responsible for the Haldwani purification ceremony.
In response to Rahul’s demand, BJP led Uttarakhand government has got an FIR registered against him under several sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act on August 30. Haldwani City Superintendent of Police ahs said that FIR against Gandhi was registered on a complaint by on Amit Kumar, a resident of the city. The complainant has said that he is a member of Valmiki community, and he along with SC community members, participated in the “cleanliness drive and religious ritual” held at Ramlila Maidan on August 11. He claimed that the ceremony had no connection with any individual or caste, and despite that Rahul Gandhi called it an act related to untouchability.
It should also be mentioned here that after Rahul’s press conference BJP leader and chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Dhami had said that Congress was a “mudda viheen” (issue-less) party and that that those conducted the havan were not BJP workers.
On August 19, Mallikarjun Kharge has conveyed his anguish to Congress leaders during its Working Committee meeting over the issue. He also said that he was hurt that many CWC members did not openly come out in support of him on the purification issue by condemning it.
The purification ceremony was organised by Sri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, who is in no way the official custodian of the Hadwani Ramlila Maidan. It is a public community and cultural ground managed locally under the oversight of Nainital district and Haldwani municipal administration. Nevertheless, the Ram Sena Nyas was allowed to perform such an act that is a crime under law, which was exploited politically for caste Hindu polarisation in the state in favour of the ruling BJP.
The organizers have defended their actions by asserting that the venue holds sacred cultural and religious significance and should be reserved for traditional events rather than political gatherings. And their claim is false, since the place is historically used for political events including that of the BJP.
The day when Rahul Gandi has addressed a press conference in Delhi, the Sri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas president Girish Chandra Pandey also addressed a press conference in Haldwani. He said that the ritual was organised after considerable garbage was found at the venue following the rally and alleged that religious provocative slogans had also been raised there. He said, “The purification ritual was performed to restored the sanctity of the place. We cleaned up the filth left behind on the stage and rendered the site fit for a yagya (a religious performance). We then conducted a yagya to formally purify the area.” Nyasa president’s statement has obvious contradiction apart from it exposed the malfunctioning of the District and Municipal administration. How come the Nyasa became the self-styled people responsible for cleanliness of the Ramlila Maidan and its religious purification, specially after a speech of an honoured politician of the country who happens to be a Dalit?
Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt has also justified the “purification”. Talking to reporters on August 26, he also slammed the Congress for blowing the issue out of proportion to gain political mileage from it.
BJP leaders support to purification ritual is a clear indication that under the Hindutva forces, the country may still practice untouchability with impunity. Mallikarjun Kharge has rightly questioned the ruling BJP in the Rajya Sabha, “Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP.” If a leader of the opposition in the Upper House can be humiliated on account of his being Dalit, then it is a serious matter. It is also a serious concern that hat LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was booked after he demanded action against the persons responsible for purification and practicing untouchability. It is how BJP is treating the leaders of opposition in the Parliament. Is it not condemnable? (IPA Service)
Should we think twice before demanding end to untouchability?
