Haldwani, Read: The politics of Uttarakhand has heated up due to the purification havan held after the public meeting of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at Ramlila Maidan and the subsequent filing of a case against Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani police station. On Monday, many senior Congress leaders under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya reached Haldwani Kotwali and lodged a protest against the police action. Congress leaders also filed a case against those who carried out the purification and those who circulated alleged fake AI videos and demanded action.
Congress leaders allege that the police immediately registered a case against Rahul Gandhi as soon as they received the complaint, whereas effective action has not been taken so far in the case of alleged purification by performing havan-puja at Ramlila Maidan and later broadcasting the alleged misleading video prepared by AI.
Congress leaders say that the police should take equally impartial action in both the cases. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya said that in one case the police immediately registered a case, but no concrete steps have been taken till now in the incident regarding which Congress is continuously demanding action. He alleged that the BJP government is using the police and administration to suppress the voice of the opposition. Arya said that Congress is not going to back down on this issue and agitation will be carried out across the state. During this, many senior Congress leaders including Haldwani MLA Sumit Hridayesh, former minister Harak Singh Rawat met police officers.
The leaders demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged purging episode, legal action against those involved and a technical investigation into the alleged AI video. Congress leaders said that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Vijay Shankhnad Rally' was held at Ramlila Maidan on August 8. After this, a case of purification by performing havan-puja in the field came to light. Congress had started protest linking it to social and caste discrimination. On the other hand, the party carrying out the purification has objected to the allegations of Congress leaders. Political allegations and counter-allegations between the two sides regarding the matter are continuously increasing.
Rahul Gandhi sued under SC-ST Act
Amidst the purification controversy, a case has been registered against Rahul Gandhi under relevant sections including SC-ST Act on the complaint of Haldwani resident Amit Kumar. The complainant has accused Rahul Gandhi of giving caste color to the matter and hurting the sentiments of Valmiki community. The police have registered a case on the basis of the complaint and started investigation.
Congress announced through agitation
Congress has made it clear that the movement will continue against the alleged double standards in the trial and purification case against Rahul Gandhi. According to party leaders, a big demonstration will be organized in Dehradun on 7th September. Congress says that the movement will continue until action is taken against those responsible for the purging and the alleged fake AI videos. Even before this, Youth Congress workers had protested by reaching the SSP office and demanded purification and action in the matter of alleged fake video. Congress had earlier also given a complaint to the police in this matter, demanding investigation and trial.