Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has called for an immediate First Information Report (FIR) under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following an alleged purification ceremony at a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, according to reports. The ritual, which took place in August at Ramlila Maidan, occurred days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public gathering there.
Demand for Legal Action Under the SC/ST Act
According to reports, Rahul Gandhi stated on August 29, 2026, that the alleged shuddhikaran (purification) ceremony amounted to the practice of untouchability, which is a constitutional crime. Gandhi maintained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must ensure authorities register a case against those responsible, asserting that nearly 20 days had passed without any formal legal action.
Reports indicated that Gandhi criticized both the Uttarakhand government and the central administration for failing to act. “We are demanding justice for the Congress president,” Gandhi said during a press conference, adding that the central and state governments have a duty to ensure protection and accountability under the law.
Contrasting Political Reactions in Uttarakhand
The controversy intensified following statements from state political figures. According to reports, Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defended the purification ritual, claiming the venue had been polluted by slogans inappropriate for a religious site. Gandhi argued that this defense by the state BJP leadership effectively justified an act of untouchability.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Congress unit alleged that the ritual was performed by the Shri Ram Sena and claimed the group maintained ties with the ruling party, a charge that the ruling party has denied, as detailed in reports.
Ideological Framing and Broader Context
During his press presentation, Gandhi displayed images of the Indian Constitution alongside the Manusmriti. As reported, he framed the Haldwani incident within a broader ideological conflict between constitutional values associated with B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru, and the ideology of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Gandhi also addressed what he described as persistent caste discrimination across the country, citing separate public instances involving Dalit leaders and children. The Congress party has warned of a political reaction if authorities fail to pursue legal remedies under the SC/ST Act regarding the Haldwani event.
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