Congress & BJP clash over Haldwani ‘purification’ row, Rahul seeks FIR
The Congress party and the BJP are engaged in a political dispute over allegations that a rally venue in Uttarakhand was 'purified' following a visit by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Rahul Gandhi has demanded an FIR, framing the incident as an act of untouchability, while the BJP dismisses the claims as a divisive political narrative.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding caste-based discrimination and political polarization in Indian electoral discourse.
NEW DELHI: BJP and Congress clashed Saturday over the opposition party's allegation that the venue of its rally in Uttarakhand's Haldwani was "purified" because of the presence of its president Mallikarjun Kharge, with Rahul Gandhi demanding an FIR as he linked it to the unconstitutional practice of untouchability.BJP slammed Rahul's comments as his usual bid to divide Hindus on different grounds, including caste, and played videos of some of the organisers of the so-called purification exercise to rebut his charge. It also questioned Rahul for raising the issue so many days after the alleged purification on Aug 10.One of the organisers, Ankit Pal, said he was himself a dalit and that a 'hawan' was held after the venue was cleaned for Ramlila.
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