Rahul Gandhi asks PM Modi to order FIR under SC/ST Act over ‘purification’ after Kharge’s rally | India News - Hindustan Times

**Rahul Gandhi Calls for FIR Under SC/ST Act Over “Purification” Remarks at Kharge Rally**

On Saturday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where he demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Gandhi’s demand stemmed from a “purification” slogan that was reportedly raised during a rally in support of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The slogan, which Gandhi said echoed “the language of untouchability,” was allegedly chanted by a segment of the crowd, prompting the opposition leader to label it a criminal offense and to seek legal redress for the alleged caste‑based insult.

The incident quickly became a flashpoint in the state’s political discourse. Uttarakhand’s BJP minister Raghav Dhami defended the rally’s participants, asserting that the chants reflected religious fervour rather than caste discrimination, and warned that the Congress’s allegations were an attempt to politicise a local event. The state’s law‑enforcement agencies have so far declined to file an FIR, stating that a preliminary inquiry is needed to ascertain whether the remarks constitute a punishable offence under the SC/ST Act. Meanwhile, the Congress party has called for a swift investigation, arguing that any language that “denigrates” scheduled communities must be dealt with under the law.

Legal experts note that the SC/ST Act is invoked when a statement or action is proven to be “directed” at a specific caste or tribe and is intended to demean or marginalise the group. They caution that courts have historically required clear evidence of intent and targeted victimisation before sanctioning criminal proceedings. As the debate intensifies, observers say the episode underscores the growing politicisation of caste‑related issues ahead of the upcoming state and national elections, with both parties poised to use the controversy to rally their respective bases.

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