New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.): The Congress on Monday condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with the alleged ‘purification’ carried out after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the FIR against Gandhi reflected political vendetta and asserted that the party’s protest would continue until action was taken against those who carried out the alleged act.

In a post on X, Venugopal said Rahul Gandhi had held a press conference and demanded legal action against BJP workers allegedly responsible for the ‘purification’ carried out after Kharge’s public meeting. The following day, however, Uttarakhand Police registered an FIR against Gandhi himself.

Describing the development as a case of “the thief scolding the policeman,” Venugopal alleged that the matter was even more serious because the BJP had purportedly defended what he termed casteist behaviour.

He said the development conveyed a message that the BJP was prepared to use the entire power of the state to suppress those who raise their voices against social injustice.

Venugopal said Congress workers would take to the streets across the country on Monday evening and demand action against BJP leaders whom the party has accused of being involved in the alleged insult to Kharge.

He said the protests would also seek to defend the values of social justice enshrined in the Constitution.

Venugopal asserted that the Congress agitation would continue until legal action was taken against those allegedly responsible for the ‘purification’ incident.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar