New Delhi, August 29, 2026: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the alleged purification ritual conducted at the stage where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally in Haldwani, calling it an act of untouchability and a punishable offence under the Constitution. Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said Dalit people continue to face discrimination and attacks across the country, claiming that those who achieve greater success often face more forceful opposition.
“The more successful a Dalit person becomes, the more forcefully they are attacked,” Gandhi said. He added that the Congress would continue its fight for the dignity, honour and justice of every Dalit citizen and would ensure that action was taken against those responsible.
Kharge had addressed a Congress rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan earlier this month. According to Congress leaders, a purification ritual was conducted at the venue after the rally. Gandhi alleged that around 20 days had passed since the incident, but no action had been taken.
He demanded immediate legal action against those responsible and said the incident should be treated as a criminal matter. Gandhi also alleged that similar purification rituals had been conducted after visits by Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party leader Tikaram Julie and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to temples.
Gandhi said such practices were contrary to the principles of equality and social justice enshrined in the Constitution. He described the issue as part of an ongoing ideological struggle between the “ideology of the Constitution” and what he referred to as the ideology of the BJP-RSS.
He cited several instances of alleged caste discrimination, including Dalit children being made to clean toilets and sweep floors in schools, restrictions on access to wells, discrimination at tea stalls, and attacks linked to riding horses during wedding processions.
Rajendra Pal Condemns Alleged Incident
Advocate Rajendra Pal, Chairman of the Congress’s Scheduled Castes department and the party’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge, also condemned the alleged purification ritual.
Pal said that although India had been independent for nearly eight decades, Dalits continued to face atrocities and discrimination over issues such as touching water pitchers, growing moustaches, touching idols and taking part in wedding processions on horseback.
He also referred to allegations that the country’s President had once faced restrictions on entering a temple in Delhi.
Pal said Kharge had raised the Haldwani incident in Parliament. According to Congress leaders, BJP president J. P. Nadda had said that the party did not support such practices and that action would be taken if the incident had occurred.
However, Congress leaders alleged that certain BJP leaders, including Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt, had sought to justify the purification ritual. The allegations have led to a political controversy over caste discrimination, constitutional safeguards and the enforcement of laws protecting members of Scheduled Castes.
Congress leaders have demanded an impartial inquiry and immediate action against those found responsible.