'Gave caste-based interpretation'; FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi over Haldwani 'purification' remarks

DEHRADUN: An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly giving a caste-based interpretation to a religious ritual held in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The case relates to a ‘purification’ ritual reportedly conducted at a venue where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had attended a party event. The issue had triggered a political controversy at the national level after Congress leaders alleged that the venue was ‘purified’ because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community.

The complaint against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community in Haldwani who allegedly took part in the purification ritual. The case was registered by Haldwani Kotwali police shortly after Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order action against those behind the ritual.

The complaint alleges that Rahul Gandhi gave a caste-based interpretation to a religious ceremony and hurt the sentiments of the Valmiki community. Police have registered the case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The FIR also includes sections related to promoting enmity between different groups and deliberately hurting religious sentiments.

A public meeting attended by Mallikarjun Kharge was held at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. Three days later, some people reportedly conducted a ‘purification yajna’ at the venue. Congress leaders alleged that the venue was purified because Kharge is a Dalit leader and accused the BJP and RSS of having an anti-Dalit mindset. The BJP rejected the allegations.

According to the BJP, the ritual had nothing to do with caste. The party said the venue was cleaned because garbage had been left behind after the Congress event.