Congress Condemns FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Over Purification Ceremony Remarks

Political Tensions Rise Over Alleged Purification Ceremony

New Delhi/Guwahati, Aug 31: The Congress party has criticized the BJP following the filing of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi regarding his comments on a supposed "shuddhikaran" or purification ceremony that took place during a rally led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.

The opposition party labeled the FIR as an intimidation tactic and announced plans for nationwide protests demanding accountability for those involved in the ceremony.

K C Venugopal, Congress's general secretary for organization, noted that the FIR was filed shortly after Gandhi's assertive press conference where he called for legal action against BJP members allegedly linked to the purification event.

“This is simply hypocrisy! They are using state power to silence voices against Dalit injustices. The BJP is undermining the principles of social justice enshrined in our Constitution, and the Congress will vigorously oppose this,” Venugopal expressed on social media.

Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that the FIR was a strategy to intimidate Gandhi, asserting that it would ultimately backfire on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The FIR against Rahul Gandhi, who leads the opposition, highlights the BJP's refusal to acknowledge the untouchability ritual that occurred in Haldwani post-Kharge's rally. Modi's party is prepared to defend those responsible for such practices,” Gogoi stated on social media.

Venugopal announced that Congress members nationwide would protest on Monday evening, demanding action against BJP leaders implicated in the incident.

In Assam, the Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) organized a sit-in at Rajiv Bhawan as part of the broader protest. “We will persist until those responsible for the disrespect shown to Shri Mallikarjun Kharge are held accountable,” Gogoi affirmed.

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress media and publicity department, attempted to downplay the FIR against Gandhi, emphasizing that the focus should remain on the alleged purification ceremony.

“The real issue isn't the FIR against Rahul ji. The real issue is the 'purification'. Look at the intentions of the BJP and the Uttarakhand government. The moment someone speaks out against purification, an FIR is filed against them,” Khera remarked in a social media post.

The FIR against Gandhi includes various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which address promoting enmity between groups and actions intended to provoke religious sentiments, according to police reports.

Additionally, provisions from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, have been applied.

This political controversy arises from an alleged "purification yajna" conducted at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground on August 11, following Kharge's public meeting at the same location on August 8.

The Congress party has characterized the alleged ritual as indicative of the BJP's anti-Dalit stance. Conversely, the BJP has defended its actions, claiming that the venue was left in disarray after Kharge's rally and that inappropriate slogans were shouted at a religious site.