New Delhi, 29 August (H.S.): Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has demanded action from the Uttarakhand government over an alleged “purification” ritual reportedly carried out after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s programme in Haldwani. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, alleging that nearly 20 days have passed since the incident but no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered. Gandhi linked the alleged incident to untouchability and discrimination, asserting that such conduct is contrary to the Constitution and that those responsible should face action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Kharge, as the national president of the Congress, was subjected to an unacceptable form of “purification” after his programme at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. He demanded immediate legal action against those responsible and urged the government to register an FIR at the earliest to ensure justice.

Gandhi said incidents involving discrimination and humiliation of Dalits continue to occur in different forms across the country. He noted that the Constitution has outlawed untouchability and discrimination, but argued that such social attitudes have not been completely eradicated.

Appealing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi urged both the Central and Uttarakhand governments to treat the matter with seriousness. He said the failure to register an FIR despite the passage of considerable time since the alleged incident was a matter of concern.

Gandhi warned that if appropriate action was not taken, the Congress would continue its fight for justice.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar