NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday accused the BJP-led Uttarakhand government of trying to silence criticism after police registered an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his comments on a purported ‘purification’ ritual held at a venue where party president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally.
The opposition party said it would challenge the action through democratic and legal channels, while demanding that those allegedly involved in the ritual be prosecuted.
Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi had raised concerns over the discrimination and humiliation faced by Dalits and the developments in Uttarakhand had, according to him, reinforced those concerns.
Ramesh said Gandhi had questioned the alleged ‘purification’ conducted after Kharge’s rally and sought action against BJP workers purportedly involved in the incident. He alleged that while no action had been taken against those accused of carrying out the ritual, the police acted swiftly against Gandhi for demanding justice.
He described the episode as reflective of the mindset that the Constitution seeks to counter and accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from the alleged caste-based humiliation.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the police complaint was lodged a day after Gandhi held a press conference demanding action against BJP workers allegedly involved in the incident.
Venugopal accused the BJP of defending what he described as casteist conduct and alleged that state machinery was being used against those raising questions over discrimination against Dalits. He said the Congress would continue its campaign until those responsible for the alleged insult to Kharge were punished and the FIR against Gandhi was withdrawn.
He also said Congress workers would stage protests in the evening seeking action against BJP leaders allegedly involved in the episode.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand Kumari Selja also questioned the absence of an FIR against those who allegedly conducted the ‘purification’ ritual.
She alleged that the Uttarakhand BJP president had publicly defended the act and accused the BJP-RSS of being opposed to Dalit dignity and constitutional values. Selja said Gandhi had raised an issue that Kharge himself had spoken about in Parliament — that the alleged ritual had reminded him of untouchability and caused humiliation.
Selja said the Congress would not be intimidated by police cases and would continue its campaign for social justice, protection of constitutional values and dignity of Dalits.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, who heads the Congress’ SC Department, alleged that the BJP-RSS combine was encouraging discrimination and untouchability. He claimed provisions of the SC/ST Act had been violated in the Haldwani incident and said police officials could also face action for allegedly failing to act against those responsible.
An FIR was registered against Gandhi following a complaint by a member of the Valmiki community in Haldwani. The complainant alleged that Gandhi had given a caste-related interpretation to a religious ritual conducted at the venue of Kharge’s programme.
The controversy began after some people allegedly organised a ‘purification yajna’ at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground on August 11, three days after Kharge addressed a public meeting there on August 8.