'Talked with Kharge ji, PM Modi should intervene'; LoP Rahul Gandhi about Haldwani rally

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi once again highlighted the incident of caste-based abuse against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Rahul Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Modi directly intervene in the incident that took place on August 8 and file a case to ensure Kharge gets justice. Rahul pointed out that the abuse against Kharge is a reflection of the bigger reality facing the Dalit communities in the country.

He also alleged that Dalit students are made to do cleaning work in schools while they are served tea in paper cups and not in glass. LoP Rahul Gandhi cited these saying that the discrimination against Dalits is worsening in India.

Rahul clarified that cleaning the venue after Kharge attended the event is a serious criminal offence under the Constitution, and such issues are just the tip of the iceberg.

“The BJP and the RSS do not want Dalits to be respected. The Prime Minister should order an FIR to be registered, and a case should be filed under the Dalit Atrocities Prevention Act. Apart from Kharge, Jitan Ram Manjhi and other Congress leaders in Rajasthan have all experienced such discrimination.

I talked with Kharge ji and extended all support to him. This has happened to the Congress president of India. So just imagine what a commoner has to go through,” said Rahul Gandhi.

The controversy arose after a Hindu outfit performed a purification ritual at the venue after Kharge returned from a Congress rally in Haldwani on August 8. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami clarified that the venue was cleaned by an organisation called Shri Ram Sena and that the BJP has no connection with them.