The Rajya Sabha saw intense protests after Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raised the matter of a purification ceremony at the site of his recent rally in BJP-governed Uttarakhand. Union Minister JP Nadda described the episode as unfortunate and stated that the BJP does not endorse such actions.
The controversy has sparked political exchanges in Uttarakhand between the two parties regarding the ritual performed at Haldwani’s Ram Lila Ground by a right-wing group two days after Kharge, who belongs to a Dalit community, spoke at a public gathering there on August 8. The issue surfaced in the upper house on the final day of the monsoon session.
Kharge claimed that BJP supporters conducted a havan and purified the platform after his address. He noted that large crowds attended the event where he discussed local issues without referencing any community or faith. He questioned whether such conduct aligns with democratic principles and constitutional safeguards.
The presiding officer urged calm, condemned untouchability as a grave wrong, and called for accountability. Nadda distanced the party from the event, pledged an inquiry by the national leadership, and expressed regret over the hurt caused to Kharge.
