‘You insult and humiliate me’: Kharge condemns ‘purification’ ritual after his speech in Uttarakhand
J.P. Nadda asserted that the BJP does not endorse such practices and said the party would investigate Kharge’s allegation
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused individuals linked to the BJP of performing a 'purification' ritual on the stage after his rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, sparking a political controversy. Kharge stated his speech focused on public issues and questioned the democratic implications of the alleged act. BJP President J.P. Nadda has condemned the reported incident, clarified the party's stance against such practices, and promised a thorough investigation. The controversy also brought into focus discussions on untouchability and constitutional values, with the Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasizing a collective condemnation of such practices.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused individuals linked to the BJP of performing a 'purification' ritual on the stage after his rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, sparking a political controversy. Kharge stated his speech focused on public issues and questioned the democratic implications of the alleged act. BJP President J.P. Nadda has condemned the reported incident, clarified the party's stance against such practices, and promised a thorough investigation. The controversy also brought into focus discussions on untouchability and constitutional values, with the Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasizing a collective condemnation of such practices.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused individuals linked to the BJP of performing a 'purification' ritual on the stage after his rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, sparking a political controversy. Kharge stated his speech focused on public issues and questioned the democratic implications of the alleged act. BJP President J.P. Nadda has condemned the reported incident, clarified the party's stance against such practices, and promised a thorough investigation. The controversy also brought into focus discussions on untouchability and constitutional values, with the Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasizing a collective condemnation of such practices.
A fresh controversy has erupted after Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual was carried out at the stage in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after he addressed a Congress rally.
The rally was held at Ramlila Maidan on August 8 as part of the Congress’s preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said he had not referred to any particular community or religion in his speech and had only raised issues concerning the people.
“But after my speech, people associated with the BJP carried out a ‘purification’ ritual of that stage. You may have read about this in the newspapers. Is this the way things should happen in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution?” Kharge asked.
Responding to the allegation, Leader of the House and BJP president J.P. Nadda condemned the reported incident and asserted that the BJP does not endorse such practices.
“What Kharge ji has said is truly a matter of concern—not just for the Congress party, but for all of us. Kharge ji has said that those who did this were BJP people. I want to make it absolutely clear that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities,” Nadda said.
Nadda called the alleged incident regrettable and said the BJP would investigate Kharge’s claim.
The Congress leader later said he did not want to turn the incident into a political issue. Recalling his long tenure in Parliament, Kharge said he had never sought special treatment by invoking his identity as an SC or Dalit member.
“I have been in this House for many years, but I have never stood before anyone and pleaded for help by saying that I am an SC or a Dalit. I have the strength to fight, and I fight. But when you practise untouchability against me, you insult and humiliate me,” he said.
Following the exchange, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said that all members of the House condemn untouchability.
“We all condemn this, irrespective of party or ideology. We all condemn untouchability, and we are all already ‘purified’. There is no need for anyone to purify us again and again,” he said.