Kharge’s ‘purification’ allegation rocks Rajya Sabha; What happened in Haldwani?

The Rajya Sabha witnessed an uproar on Thursday after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that a ‘purification’ ritual was carried out at a stage in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after he addressed a Congress rally there.

Kharge described the alleged act as an insult and humiliation, while Leader of the House JP Nadda said the BJP does not endorse such activities and promised an investigation.

Kharge raised the issue while speaking in the House about his August 8 address at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, where the Congress leader said lakhs of people had gathered.

He said he had not referred to any particular community or religion during his speech and had spoken only about the problems faced by the people.

“But after my speech, people associated with the BJP carried out a ‘purification’ ritual of that stage,” Kharge alleged.

Kharge questioned whether such an act was acceptable in a democracy and asked how the Constitution was being protected.

Responding to Kharge, JP Nadda condemned the alleged incident and made it clear that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities.

“What Kharge ji has said is truly a matter of concern—not just for the Congress party, but for all of us,” Nadda said.

He said Kharge had alleged that BJP members were involved and added that the allegations would be investigated.

“However, since you have raised the issue, we will have it investigated,” Nadda said, reiterating that the BJP neither supports nor endorses such activities.

Nadda described the alleged incident as a matter of regret.

Kharge later stood up again and said he did not want to turn the matter into a political issue.

The Congress leader, who identified himself as a Dalit in his remarks, said he had never sought special consideration in the House on that basis and had the strength to fight his own battles.

“I have the strength to fight, and I fight. But when you practise untouchability against me, you insult and humiliate me,” Kharge said.

Nadda again reiterated that the BJP does not endorse such activities.

Rajya Sabha Chairman calls for investigation

Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said members across party lines condemned untouchability.

“We all condemn this, irrespective of party or ideology,” he said.

Radhakrishnan added that there was no need for anyone to be subjected to another act of ‘purification’.

The Chairman also asked the government to investigate Kharge’s allegations and said those responsible should be apprehended and punished if the allegations were found to be true.

“I also request the government that those who have done this wrong should be investigated, apprehended, and punished. There is no second opinion on this,” he said.

With ANI inputs