Patna . Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday targeted the ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that peace cannot be maintained as long as this ideology persists in the country. He was addressing a program organized in Patna on the occasion of the 139th birth anniversary of former Bihar Chief Minister Shri Krishna Singh.
Referring to the views of Shri Krishna Singh, Kharge said that he had advocated strict action against communal forces. According to Kharge, Shri Krishna Singh had described both Hindu and Muslim communal ideas as a challenge to secular democracy and human values.
The Congress president alleged that the RSS has been involved in communal activities since its inception. He said that to maintain peace and harmony in the country, it is necessary to stop such ideologies.
Questions raised on untouchability regarding Haldwani incident
Kharge also mentioned the alleged purification incident that took place in Haldwani, Uttarakhand on August 8, 2026. He said that the incident of purification ritual being performed on a platform located near the temple raises questions of untouchability. He questioned that if practices like untouchability still exist even after 80 years of independence, then how will unity be maintained in the society.
This controversy came to light after the Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. It is alleged that members of a right-wing group later performed a purification ritual at the venue. Congress leaders criticized this move and linked it to untouchability.
Comment on Nitish Kumar's political stance also
Kharge also raised questions over former Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He said that Nitish Kumar had started politics with socialist ideology, but now his joining BJP and RSS is like compromising his ideology.
Kharge alleged that there are people in RSS and BJP whose views promote untouchability and which are contrary to the values of the Constitution.