Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has attacked the purification ritual conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after he spoke at a political rally there, saying the incident raised serious questions about caste discrimination, democracy and constitutional values. Kharge said that the episode only fuelled his fears that there is “no space for Dalits” in India and questioned why a public venue had to be “purified” after a political gathering.
Kharge had addressed the Congress-led “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani last weekend. That same day, members of right-wing group Shri Ram Sena held a ‘shuddhikaran’ havan at the same place. The ritual was later the subject of a political spat with Congress leaders saying it was linked to Kharge’s caste identity. The BJP denied the allegation and claimed that its members did not take part in the ritual.
On the other hand, Kharge questioned the rationale behind a havan to clean the stage after his speech. Ramlila Maidan is a public place where political parties and organisations can meet and hold meetings and events, he said: “My speech did not target any community or religion but the government and country.
Kharge also raised the matter in Parliament during the final day of the Monsoon Session. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha he questioned whether in such a situation it was compatible with democratic and constitutional principles. He said thousands of people had attended his Haldwani rally and maintained that he had not referred to any particular religion or community during his address.
The chief of the Congress described the purification ritual as one of many attempts to divide people on religious and caste lines. Such practices would, he also said, contribute to social conflict and were dangerous for the ideals of equality and fraternity in the Constitution.
Congress leaders in Uttarakhand have largely supported Kharge’s criticism. Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal said Shri Ram Sena was affiliated with BJP and claimed the purification ritual was conducted because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community. He said the BJP has encouraged caste-based division and questioned why authorities had not taken action against those who carried out the ritual.
Godiyal said it was caste-based discrimination and narrow-mindedness that led to this incident. He added that democratic India should not have any place for untouchability or discrimination and the Congress was for equality, human rights and social harmony.
The BJP has denied the Congress allegations. In response to Kharge's comments in the Rajya Sabha, BJP president and Union minister JP Nadda termed the incident regrettable and said BJP members were not involved. Nadda also assured Parliament that the matter would be looked into.
BJP state spokesperson and Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Khajan Das offered a different explanation for the controversy. He said some slogans were raised in Kharge's rally that had hurt people in the Sanatan community. Das also stated that Ramlila Maidan had religious significance and people were frustrated by slogans he said were linked to another religion.
The BJP has also dismissed Congress claims that the purification ritual was motivated by Kharge’s caste. Das accused the Congress of failing to respect prominent Dalit leaders, including Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar.
Delhi: On a 'shuddhikaran' havan performed at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani after his rally, Congress President and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We have been saying all along that there is no space for Dalits in this country. They are dividing everyone in the name… pic.twitter.com/FGcT2NPcRq
— IANS (@ians_india) August 13, 2026
The dispute has therefore become a larger political fight over caste, religion and the use of public spaces for political activities. But Congress leaders have framed the incident as an example of discrimination against a Dalit leader, the BJP has rejected that interpretation and linked the controversy to alleged slogans at the rally.
Kharge’s intervention has also brought the issue into the national political debate, and the Congress is asking whether the purification ritual at a public place is compatible with constitutional ideals. The BJP, in contrast, has distanced itself from the ritual, arguing that religious sentiments should also be taken into account.
The matter will be politically important to the two sides as they continue to dispute each other’s version of what happened. And it’s nothing but caste discrimination, religious sensitivities, and political parties’ duty to maintain social harmony in a democratic society that have been at the core of the tension.
