Rahul Gandhi Faces FIR Over Alleged Casteist Remarks During Religious Event

A political storm has erupted as an FIR is filed against Rahul Gandhi for alleged casteist remarks made during a religious event in Haldwani. The complaint, lodged by a member of the Valmiki community, claims that Gandhi's comments during a press conference hurt community sentiments. The incident has drawn sharp responses from both the Congress and BJP, with accusations flying regarding the treatment of Dalit communities. As the controversy unfolds, calls for action under the SCST Act have intensified, highlighting the ongoing tensions in Indian politics surrounding caste issues.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 31, 2026, 12:30 IST

FIR Filed Against Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani

Haldwani: An FIR has been lodged against Rahul Gandhi following allegations from a member of the Valmiki community. The complaint asserts that the Congress leader made casteist comments regarding a religious ceremony that took place during an event organized by the AICC chief, according to police reports on Sunday.

The FIR cites multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) aimed at preventing enmity among groups and actions that could provoke religious sentiments. Additionally, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, has been invoked.

Amit Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar and a member of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, filed the complaint at the Haldwani police station. He stated that he was present during the ritual and cleanliness initiative, and Gandhi's comments made during a press conference in Delhi on August 29 were offensive to the community's feelings.

Kumar accused Gandhi of suggesting that those involved in the ritual were practicing untouchability and were anti-Dalit.

In his complaint, Kumar mentioned that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and highlighted that individuals from various societal segments, including Scheduled Castes, participated in the ritual, which he argued had no ties to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's caste.

A political controversy arose after some individuals reportedly conducted a 'purification yajna' at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 11, following a public meeting led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.

The Congress party has labeled the incident as indicative of the BJP's anti-Dalit stance, while the BJP defended the actions, claiming that the venue was left in disarray after Kharge's rally and that inappropriate slogans were chanted at a religious site.

During a press conference in New Delhi on August 29, Gandhi condemned the incident and called for an FIR to be filed under the SCST Act against those responsible for the purification ceremony.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later supported the call for action, describing the event as a reflection of a disgraceful mindset and alleging it violated the SCST Act.