‘Anti-Dalit BJP’: Congress hits back after police book Rahul Gandhi over Haldwani row
New Delhi: The Congress party mounted a fierce attack against the ruling BJP on Monday after police filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi over his comments regarding a 'purification' ceremony held at a venue where party president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally in Uttarakhand's Haldwani, asserting that its opposition to casteist attitudes will continue unabated.
Following the registration of the FIR, the primary opposition party stated it would mount a robust response through legal and democratic avenues.
Responding to the police action, Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand Kumari Selja questioned the government's priorities: "No action against those who conducted the 'purification' ritual after Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji's public meeting, but an FIR against Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi ji for raising his voice against that casteist act. Is this the justice of the BJP government?"
Selja noted in a Hindi post on X that the 'purification' took place initially and was subsequently defended publicly by the Uttarakhand BJP chief.
ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi sought FIR over Haldwani ‘purification’, now faces one himself over remarks
Now, when Rahul Gandhi requested legal intervention against those responsible, the Uttarakhand administration responded by filing a case against him instead, Selja added.
She alleged that the development illustrates the "anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution" stance of the BJP and RSS.
"Shri Rahul Gandhi ji raised the same question that Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji himself had already raised in Parliament: that this act of 'purification' made him feel the sting of untouchability and humiliated him," she said.
https://x.com/Kumari_Selja/status/2094237068293738873
"But look at the BJP government's approach. Raise questions about those who conducted the 'purification' - FIR. Talk about Dalit dignity - FIR. Raise your voice for the Constitution - FIR," Selja added.
She further questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence regarding the controversy.
Selja remarked that the BJP-RSS should not believe legal action would intimidate Rahul Gandhi or force Congress to retreat.
"This is the Gandhi family, which has a history of sacrifice and dedication for the country. Neither FIRs nor the pressure of power can intimidate or silence this voice," she asserted.
The party plans to challenge the move through both legal channels and democratic protests, Selja confirmed.
"The fight against the casteist mentality behind the 'purification' -- and for the protection of Dalit dignity and the Constitution -- will be waged with full force," she stated.
Police confirmed Sunday that an FIR was lodged against Rahul Gandhi following a complaint from a member of the Valmiki community in Haldwani, who alleged that the Congress leader imparted a casteist spin to a religious ritual held at the site of the AICC chief's address.
ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi demands FIR over ‘purification’ ritual after Kharge’s Haldwani rally; targets BJP
Law enforcement registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covering the promotion of enmity between groups and deliberate acts aimed at outraging religious feelings, alongside sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The complainant, Amit Kumar — a resident of Jawahar Nagar and member of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas — alleged in his submission to the Haldwani police station that he took part in the "ritual and cleanliness drive," and argued that Gandhi's statements during a Delhi press conference on 29 August offended community sentiments.
He accused Gandhi of unfairly characterising participants in the ceremony as promoting "untouchability" and holding "anti-Dalit" views.
Kumar stated in the complaint that he belongs to a Scheduled Caste and that individuals from diverse societal backgrounds, including Scheduled Castes, participated in the event, which he maintained had "no connection" with Kharge's caste background.
The political dispute erupted after individuals performed a 'purification yajna' at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground on 11 August, following Kharge's public address at the location on 8 August.
While Congress condemned the action as evidence of an anti-Dalit bias within the BJP, the ruling party defended the cleanup, asserting that the grounds were left littered following the event and that inappropriate slogans were used at a religious site.
During a news conference in New Delhi on 29 August, Gandhi denounced the ritual and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those who arranged the "purification".
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supported the demand for legal action, characterising the event as evidence of a "reprehensible and shameful mindset" that breached the SC/ST Act.
PTI