Amritsar, August 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Congress leader and former Cabinet Minister Dr. Raj Kumar Verka has approached the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, seeking registration of an FIR over the alleged ‘purification’ ceremony held at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following a public rally addressed by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Verka, who has also served as Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Government of India, has sought legal action against Mahendra Bhatt, president of the BJP in Uttarakhand, as well as other persons whose involvement may emerge during the investigation.
According to the complaint, Kharge addressed a public rally at Ramlila Ground on August 8, 2026. Two days later, on August 10, a purported ‘Shuddhikaran’ ceremony involving a havan was conducted at the same venue. The episode subsequently triggered controversy, while Bhatt is alleged to have publicly defended and justified the ritual.
Verka’s complaint states that Kharge belongs to a Scheduled Caste community and argues that describing a public venue as ‘polluted’ or ‘defiled’, or suggesting that it required purification in the circumstances, raises serious questions concerning caste discrimination, dignity, equality and the constitutional abolition of untouchability.
He has maintained that his objection is not to any religious ritual itself but to its alleged context, purpose, symbolism and subsequent public justification. According to the complaint, such conduct, if established in the circumstances alleged, could reinforce notions associated with caste-based purity, pollution, exclusion and untouchability.
Verka Seeks Probe, Preservation of Digital Evidence
Verka has sought registration of an FIR under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other applicable provisions that may emerge during the investigation.
He has urged the police to examine the alleged role of Bhatt and every other person connected with the ceremony, including those who may have organised, conducted, participated in, facilitated, promoted or publicly justified it.
The complaint also seeks preservation and examination of the original audio-video recording of Bhatt’s alleged statement, along with verification of its authenticity, date, time, location and context. Verka has further sought preservation of CCTV footage, photographs, videos, social media posts, digital records and other electronic evidence.
He has asked investigators to determine whether the alleged ceremony and subsequent public justification were intended to humiliate, stigmatise or exclude a member of the Scheduled Caste community, or promote hatred, ill-will or social exclusion against Scheduled Castes generally.
Verka said the complaint was aimed at ensuring a fair and independent investigation and protecting constitutional rights. He also stressed that any final finding regarding guilt or criminal liability would be determined by the competent court in accordance with law and on the basis of legally admissible evidence.
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