Haldwani, Read: The purification havan held after the Congress's Vijay Shankhnad rally in the city has now moved beyond a political dispute and has reached the legal level. A member of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Samiti involved in the purification has filed a complaint in Haldwani police station demanding registration of a case against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The complainant alleges that Rahul Gandhi linked the purification and cleaning process with casteism and untouchability, which has affected his social prestige and security.
According to Amit Kumar, resident of Jawahar Nagar Colony, Congress's Vijay Shankhnad rally was organized at Ramlila Maidan on August 8. According to him, after the program ended, a large amount of garbage and some objectionable material was found lying on the ground. There was resentment among the local people regarding this. Amit Kumar told in the complaint that on August 11, he along with other members of the Scheduled Caste, cleaned the Ramlila grounds and got it purified through Havan. The complainant says that the purpose of this entire action was to clean the grounds and purify it religiously. It had no connection with any particular caste.
Accused of giving statement in press conference
According to Tahrir, during the press conference held in Delhi on August 29, Rahul Gandhi mentioned the issue of purification in Haldwani and linked it to caste discrimination and untouchability. Amit Kumar alleges that Rahul Gandhi's statement portrayed the people involved in the purification as anti-Dalits and untouchables. The complainant has said that he himself belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. In such a situation, it is beyond their understanding to link the act of cleanliness and havan with caste discrimination. He claims that Rahul Gandhi's statement has damaged his reputation and has created a situation of misconception against him at the social level.
Demand for action in serious sections
Amit Kumar has filed a case against Rahul Gandhi under relevant sections of the police and demanded investigation and legal action. It has also been said in the Tahrir that the alleged statement regarding the people involved in the purification has created social tension and concern about their safety. However, Inspector Vijay Mehta, in-charge of Haldwani Kotwali, has not yet clarified the status of further action in this case.
Giving information on the matter, SP City Manoj Kumar Katyal has said that Complaints have been received, which are being investigated. After which action will be taken on the basis of facts.
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