Rahul Gandhi seeks FIR over ‘purification’ ritual in Haldwani after Kharge’s address, calls it ‘untouchability’ - The Hindu

**Rahul Gandhi Demands FIR Over Alleged “Purification” Ritual in Haldwani**

New Delhi – In a sharply worded statement on Wednesday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for a First Information Report (FIR) to be lodged against unidentified persons who, he said, carried out a “purification” ritual on the grounds of a rally addressed by senior opposition figure Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Gandhi described the act as an instance of “untouchability” and urged the local police to investigate whether the ceremony, which allegedly involved the sprinkling of holy water on the stage after Kharge’s speech, was intended to intimidate Dalit and other marginalized communities.

The incident, which took place on 24 August during Kharge’s campaign stop for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, was captured in video clips that quickly spread on social media. In the footage, a group of individuals—identified by some witnesses as members of a local “sadhus” outfit—performed a ritualistic sprinkling of water and recited chants while the stage was still occupied by party workers. Congress officials contended that the act was a symbolic attempt to “purify” the venue of a Dalit leader’s presence, invoking a caste‑based stigma that the party says is prohibited under the Constitution. Gandhi’s demand for an FIR comes alongside a broader call for the central and state governments to enforce anti‑untouchability provisions more rigorously.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected Gandhi’s allegations, labeling them as “political theatrics” aimed at creating communal discord. Party spokesperson Nalin Kumar Singh said the “purification” was a harmless religious practice, not an act of discrimination, and warned that the Congress was attempting to “mislead the Dalit community” for electoral gain. The Uttarakhand police have said they are reviewing the video evidence and will decide whether the incident warrants a formal complaint. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was not directly addressed in the statements, has earlier urged all political parties to respect constitutional values and refrain from “any form of caste‑based discrimination.” The controversy is likely to add another flashpoint to the already heated pre‑election atmosphere.