Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Rajya Sabha Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda to ensure immediate action over an alleged “purification” ritual conducted at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after a public meeting addressed by him on August 8.

In a letter dated September 2, Kharge reminded Nadda of his assurance in Parliament that the incident would be investigated and that strict action would follow if anyone was found responsible. Kharge expressed concern that 24 days after the incident, an FIR had still not been registered against the individuals or organisations allegedly involved.

The controversy has acquired a political and social dimension, with Kharge arguing that the alleged ritual cannot be viewed merely as an incident involving one political leader. He said the matter touches upon the dignity of communities that have historically faced caste-based discrimination and social exclusion.

Kharge recalls Parliament assurance

Kharge had first raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, five days after addressing the Congress meeting in Haldwani. During the parliamentary discussion, he alleged that a “shuddhikaran”, or purification exercise, had been carried out at the venue after his departure.

Nadda had described the reported incident as regrettable and said that the matter would be examined. He also maintained that the BJP did not endorse such practices and denied that BJP workers were responsible for the alleged act.

In his latest communication, Kharge questioned why the assurance given in Parliament had not translated into visible legal action. He asked Nadda to intervene and direct Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure that an FIR is registered and the matter is investigated.

Kharge also referred to the expression of concern by the Rajya Sabha Chairman over the incident, arguing that the seriousness of the issue had already been acknowledged inside Parliament.

Dispute over the nature of the ritual

The alleged purification ceremony has become a contentious political issue because of the circumstances in which it was reportedly conducted. According to the allegations raised by Congress leaders, a ritual was performed at the same venue where Kharge had addressed a public meeting.

Kharge has described the episode as connected to the practice of untouchability and caste discrimination. He has argued that conducting a purification exercise after his presence at the venue was an affront to his dignity and had wider implications for people who continue to experience caste-based exclusion.

Earlier, Kharge had questioned the need for a purification ceremony at the venue and said the episode had personally humiliated him. He also stressed that he had never sought preferential treatment by invoking his identity as a Scheduled Caste member.

However, the allegations have been disputed by BJP leaders and sections of the local community. The BJP has rejected the Congress’s interpretation of the incident, with party leaders arguing that the allegations have been presented with a political and caste-based interpretation that does not accurately reflect what happened.

Rahul Gandhi also faces FIR over remarks

The controversy escalated further after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly referred to the alleged purification ritual. Uttarakhand Police subsequently registered an FIR against Gandhi over his remarks.

The complaint against Gandhi alleged that he wrongly portrayed the cleaning or purification activity as an act of untouchability and an atrocity against Dalits without verifying the facts. The development added another layer to an already politically charged dispute.

Congress leaders, however, have continued to demand action against those allegedly responsible for the original ritual rather than focusing only on subsequent political statements.

Kharge’s latest letter therefore seeks to shift attention back to the alleged incident at the Haldwani venue and the absence of an FIR against those identified by the Congress as responsible.

Kharge says issue extends beyond him

In his communication to Nadda, Kharge emphasised that the controversy should not be treated as a personal dispute involving a senior Congress leader.

He argued that the matter has broader significance because caste-based discrimination remains a lived reality for many people. According to Kharge, allowing such an incident to pass without investigation could send the wrong message about the enforcement of constitutional protections and the country’s commitment to equality.

The Congress president has called for accountability and argued that those responsible should face appropriate legal action if an investigation establishes wrongdoing.

Political backdrop

The dispute comes ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election, adding political significance to the controversy. Kharge’s August 8 meeting in Haldwani was part of the Congress’s broader political mobilisation in the state.

The BJP and Congress have since traded accusations over the incident, with Congress leaders portraying the alleged ritual as evidence of caste discrimination and BJP leaders disputing that interpretation.

The matter has also brought questions of caste, political symbolism and constitutional equality into the centre of the political debate. While the competing claims remain contested, Kharge’s latest intervention places the focus firmly on the question of whether the alleged incident will result in a formal police investigation.

For now, Kharge is seeking an FIR and a probe into those allegedly involved, while the controversy continues to generate political friction between the Congress and BJP in Uttarakhand.