New Delhi, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, on Thursday condemned the alleged “purification” of a venue in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani following an event attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, describing the reported incident as a serious reflection of caste discrimination.
Kharge had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day, on the concluding day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Congress MP Kumari Selja alleged that the incident reflected the ideology of the BJP and RSS and said such actions were contrary to the constitutional principle of equality.
“It is not the venue that needs purification, but the mindset behind such actions,” Selja said, adding that Uttarakhand needed to move away from what she described as discriminatory thinking.
Azad Samaj Party-Kanshi Ram chief and MP Chandrashekhar Azad questioned how long Dalits, backward classes, tribals and religious minorities would have to face such alleged humiliation.
“If you insult people on the basis of caste, we will not tolerate this injustice. The government must answer why this was done,” he said.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha termed the reported incident a “matter of great shame” and said caste-based discrimination continued to persist despite India celebrating more than seven decades of Independence.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar said that if Scheduled Castes and Dalits continued to face discrimination after Independence, it raised questions about their integration into the mainstream.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla described the reported incident as “very unfortunate” and urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to address the matter.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also criticised the BJP, alleging that the reported incident reflected its attitude towards Dalits and backward communities.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad also criticised the BJP, RSS and VHP, saying they should instead examine their own conscience.
The opposition leaders’ reactions came after Kharge brought the alleged incident to the attention of Parliament, triggering a political row over caste discrimination and social equality.
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