The Rajya Sabha witnessed a major uproar on Thursday after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised the alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony conducted at a venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where he had addressed a public rally.
Kharge alleged that a havan was performed at the Ram Lila Ground two days after his August 8 rally. He questioned the incident’s place in a democracy and demanded action against those responsible.
The controversy has sparked a political confrontation in Uttarakhand, with the Congress alleging a caste angle and accusing BJP-linked workers of being behind the ritual. The BJP has denied any connection with the organisers.
Kharge raises 'shuddhikaran' issue in Parliament
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the final day of the Monsoon Session, Kharge said lakhs of people had attended his rally and claimed that he had not made any remarks against any particular community or religion.
“But after my speech, BJP workers performed a havan,” Kharge alleged.
“Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution?” he asked.
Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said he did not want to politicise the matter but demanded that a case be registered and those responsible be arrested.
JP Nadda distances BJP from incident
Union minister and BJP president JP Nadda sought to distance the party from the alleged ceremony.
Nadda called the incident unfortunate and said the BJP does not subscribe to such activities. He also assured Kharge that the matter would be investigated.
“Please don’t say repeatedly that we (BJP) did. The BJP does not subscribe to such activities,” Nadda said, according to the report.
He added that the BJP leadership would look into the matter and expressed regret that Kharge’s sentiments had been hurt.
Kharge, however, reiterated his demand for a police case and action against those involved.
What happened at Haldwani’s Ram Lila Ground?
The controversy relates to a ritual reportedly held at Haldwani’s Ram Lila Ground two days after Kharge addressed a rally there.
The Uttarakhand Congress has alleged that the Shri Ram Sena organised the ceremony and claimed the group was associated with the BJP. The BJP has rejected the allegation.
Videos circulating on social media reportedly show a priest conducting a havan at the venue amid chants of Vedic mantras.
One of the organisers reportedly said the ground has religious significance and should be reserved for cultural rather than political events.
A member of the organisation also claimed that some slogans raised during Kharge’s rally had hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.
Congress alleges caste-based motive
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the ritual was conducted because Kharge is a Dalit and accused the BJP of encouraging caste divisions.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the alleged incident and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said the reported act reflected a mindset that needed to be rejected.
The RJD also condemned the incident, accusing the BJP of fostering caste-based prejudice.
BJP denies involvement
The BJP has maintained that it had no connection with the alleged purification ceremony.
Uttarakhand minister and BJP spokesperson Khajan Das suggested that certain slogans raised during Kharge’s rally could have hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.
He also said the Ramlila Ground is a place of religious significance and argued that some people may have objected to slogans associated with another religion being raised there.
The controversy has now moved from Uttarakhand’s political arena to Parliament, with the Congress demanding action and the BJP maintaining that it does not endorse the alleged ritual.