‘No Space For Dalits In This Country’: Kharge Condemns ‘Shuddhikaran Havan’ In Haldwani
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday condemned the reported ‘shuddhikaran havan’ conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan following his public meeting, alleging that the incident reflected caste discrimination and an attempt to divide Hindu society.
Kharge Questions Need For Purification Ritual
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said the ritual was against the spirit of Hinduism and questioned why a purification ceremony was required at a public venue.
He said Ramlila Maidan is used for public meetings by political parties and alleged that such an incident could deepen divisions along caste and religious lines.
“People are being divided in the name of religion,” Kharge said, strongly condemning the reported ritual.
Congress Alleges BJP Link
The controversy erupted after a group reportedly conducted the purification ceremony at the venue following Kharge’s rally in Haldwani.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which organised the ‘shuddhikaran havan’, was linked to the BJP. He claimed the ritual was conducted because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community and accused the BJP of promoting caste-based divisions.
Godiyal also questioned the role of the Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police and asked why action had not been taken against those who organised the ceremony.
BJP Rejects Allegations
The BJP strongly denied any association with the group and accused the Congress of attempting to malign the party for political purposes.
BJP state spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das said certain slogans raised during Kharge’s rally had hurt the sentiments of members of the Sanatan community.
Das said the Ramlila Ground has religious significance and alleged that slogans associated with another religion had been raised at the venue.
BJP Dismisses Caste Angle
The BJP also rejected the Congress’ claim that the purification ritual was connected to Kharge’s caste.
Das accused the Congress of disrespecting prominent Dalit leaders, including Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and BR Ambedkar, while responding to the allegations.
The controversy has since escalated into a political confrontation, with the Congress alleging caste discrimination and the BJP maintaining that the issue concerns religious sentiments rather than Kharge’s community.
