Shri Ram Sangathan's 'purification' ritual draws ire; Kharge reveals disturbing incident in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: A radical Hindu outfit conducted a purification ritual at a venue where a rally headed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took place. The shameful act took place at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The Sri Ram Sena Dharmartha Sevanayas is presumed to be behind it.

Kharge complained in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the pro-BJP organisation did such a thing only to mock his Dalit identity. Later, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan ordered an inquiry.

The rally was held on August 8. Two days later, the radical outfit sprinkled cow dung here. Kharge termed the incident disturbing.

“There have been complaints for ages that Dalits have no place in this country. Is this democracy? I feel the pain of untouchability. I don't want to bring politics to the issue. I have not begged anyone to protect me for being a Dalit. I have the strength to fight. I demand that a case be registered against those who did the purification ritual at the venue under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act and that they be arrested," Kharge said.

BJP leader and Union Minister J.P. Nadda condemned the incident. Nadda assured Kharge that the matter would be investigated seriously. The opposition deemed the response unconvincing and started protesting. The Speaker ruled that the government should immediately investigate.