A local right-wing outfit, Shri Ram Sena, reportedly conducted a ‘shuddhikaran’ ritual and havan at the venue two days later, on August 10.
Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the outfit was linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and claimed the ritual was conducted because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community. He accused the BJP of promoting divisions along caste and religious lines.
The controversy reached Parliament on Thursday, with Kharge raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha on the final day of the Monsoon Session.
Kharge said he had spoken at the Haldwani gathering only about public issues and had not referred to any caste or religion.
“But with great sorrow, I have to say that after my speech, BJP people performed a havan there and carried out the purification (shuddikaran) of that stage. Is this the way democracy works? How are you protecting the Constitution?” Kharge asked the government.
He said that despite having spent decades in Parliament, he had been subjected to what he described as an act of untouchability.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda termed the incident unfortunate and distressing but rejected the allegation that BJP workers were responsible.
Nadda said the BJP did not subscribe to such practices and assured the House that the matter would be investigated.
“What Kharge ji said is really sad — not just for the Congress party but for all of us. BJP does not subscribe to such activities. Never. But we will investigate this,” Nadda said, adding that the party’s national president would also look into the matter.
The controversy stems from Kharge’s ‘Vijay Shankhnaad’ rally at the Ramlila Ground on August 8. According to the allegations, Shri Ram Sena organised the havan and purification ceremony at the same venue on August 10.
The incident has triggered a political confrontation, with the Congress demanding accountability and the BJP maintaining that it had no connection with the alleged ritual.
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