NEW DELHI, August 29, 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Uttarakhand government order an FIR and take action against those who allegedly carried out ‘shuddhi-karan’ (purification) at the venue where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally on August 8.
Gandhi described the alleged ‘purification’ as another form of untouchability, which is prohibited under the Constitution, and demanded that those responsible be booked under the SC/ST Act.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said the Congress was seeking justice for Kharge and stressed that justice would be delivered, whether immediately or in the future. He questioned what ordinary Dalits in villages might face if such an incident could happen to a senior public figure like Kharge.
Gandhi said the incident was not isolated, citing similar alleged acts of ‘shuddhi-karan’ in Rajasthan following a visit to a temple by a Dalit Congress leader and involving former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
He accused the BJP and RSS of perpetuating such practices and referred to Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt’s reported defence of the ‘shuddhi-karan’ as an indication of the mindset behind the incident.
According to Gandhi, Kharge addressed the rally on August 8, after which BJP and RSS workers allegedly carried out the ‘shuddhi-karan’ on August 10. Kharge later raised the issue in Parliament on August 13. Gandhi said around 20 days had passed without action, while the state BJP president had instead defended the act.
Gandhi described the issue as part of a continuing ideological contest between the BJP-RSS and the Congress, which he said stands for the Constitution and equal rights.
He reiterated his demand for an immediate FIR, saying the alleged act amounted to a crime against constitutional values and that it was the responsibility of the Uttarakhand and Central governments to ensure justice for Kharge.
Gandhi further said the incident was only the “tip of the iceberg”, alleging that discriminatory practices against Dalits continue in parts of India, including restrictions on access to common wells, separate cups at tea stalls and attacks against Dalit grooms riding horses.
He said the Congress would continue to pursue the matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable, even if the BJP and the government failed to take action.
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