This is BJP-RSS mindset: Rahul Gandhi slams 'shuddhikaran' after Kharge event

Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP and RSS over the 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ceremony held at Mallikarjun Kharge's Haldwani rally venue, calling it a "crime" and saying an FIR under the SC/ST Act should be registered against those responsible.Rahul Gandhi said this incident shows the BJP-RSS mindset that they do not want the Dalits to progress and live with respect and be successful. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the BJP and RSS over an alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual held at the site of party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, calling it “another name for untouchability” and demanding action under the SC/ST Act.Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, Gandhi said the incident exposed what he described as the “BJP-RSS mindset” towards Dalits and accused the ruling establishment of remaining silent despite what he called a criminal act.“This act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a ‘purification’ ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken. Therefore, we demand that an FIR be registered immediately against those who carried out this purification ritual in Uttarakhand,” Gandhi said.The controversy erupted after an alleged purification ceremony was held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground following Kharge’s August 8 Congress rally. Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal had alleged that the Shri Ram Sena carried out the ritual because Kharge is a Dalit and asked police to examine whether any law was violated. Gandhi said the incident was not merely about Kharge but reflected the discrimination faced by Dalits across the country. “Purification is actually just another name for untouchability. Untouchability was outlawed, yet BJP members practise it openly,” he alleged.He said the message conveyed by such an act was that Dalits were “unclean” and should not be touched. Gandhi then widened his attack, asking what such discrimination could mean for Dalit children if a senior leader such as Kharge could be subjected to it.“If such a thing can be done against a senior person like Mallikarjun Kharge, imagine what can be done to a four-year-old in a school,” he said.He cited alleged instances of Dalit children being made to clean toilets, sweep floors and perform other menial tasks in schools. He also referred to discrimination at village wells and tea stalls, claiming Dalits in some places are served disposable cups while others are given reusable glasses.“This is the reality of India. This is the reality of Uttar Pradesh, the reality of North India, and you can see this in cities and villages,” Gandhi said.‘FIGHT BETWEEN TWO IDEOLOGIES’Gandhi framed the Haldwani controversy as part of a much larger political battle between the Constitution and the ideology of the BJP-RSS.“A fight is underway in the country between two ideologies. On one side is the Constitution of India, the Constitution of Ambedkar, Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel. On the other is the ideology of the BJP and RSS,” he said.Gandhi said both the Centre and the Uttarakhand government had a responsibility to ensure justice for Kharge.“We are demanding justice for the Congress president. Give the Congress president justice in Uttarakhand. It is the duty of the central and state governments to ensure that Kharge gets justice,” he said.Gandhi, however, said the Congress would continue to pursue the matter even if the BJP government did not act. “Even if BJP does not do it, we will get it done. Entire Congress party will not let that man escape either today or tomorrow,” he said.He said the next step was now with the authorities and warned that the party would respond if no action was taken. “If action is taken, we will welcome it. If action is not taken, there will be a reaction,” Gandhi said.He also criticised the Prime Minister for not speaking or acting on the issue. “The fact that the Prime Minister is neither speaking nor acting is a reflection of his ideology; we have no interest in that,” he said.Gandhi further alleged that the BJP’s Uttarakhand state president had committed an illegal act by supporting the alleged purification ritual and called for action against him.Earlier this month, Kharge had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, seeking cases under the law against untouchability against those involved in the alleged act and demanding their arrest.Leader of the House and Union minister JP Nadda had said the BJP did not endorse such activities and assured that the incident would be investigated.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Aug 29, 2026 14:06 IST