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Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (August 13) said that he was made to “feel the sting of untouchability” in Haldwani, Uttarakhand as a “purification” ritual was performed on stage after he addressed a public meeting.
“I don’t want to make it a political issue ever. And I have been in the parliament for many years. I’m here [in Rajya Sabha] now and previously I was in the Lower House. I have never tried to gain sympathy, I have never asked for help or protection saying that I’m a Scheduled Caste, I’m a Dalit,” Kharge said in Rajya Sabha on the last day of the Monsoon Session.
He added, “I have the strength to fight. I do fight. Lakhs of people were there at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. At that time, I did not mention the name of any community or religion; I only reiterated the issues of the government. But after my speech, you [people associated with Bharatiya Janata Party] tried to insult me by doing a purification ritual [on the stage in Haldwani], you made me feel the sting of untouchability. Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the constitution? I am the LoP.”
The issue raised by Kharge pertains to a right-wing group performing a hawan (religious ritual) to “purify” Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground, just two days after the Congress president held a rally there on August 8.
As per a Times of India report, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan did the ritual on August 10, saying certain slogans raised at Kharge’s August 8 rally “sounded like Islamic slogans.”
The Hindutva outfit member Girish Chandra Pandey defended the “purification” move speaking to TOI. “Ramlila Ground is meant for religious and cultural events and should not be given to political parties,” he said, bringing up Kharge’s earlier comments against the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Meanwhile, Union minister J.P. Nadda responded in parliament. He mentioned that action would be taken against the wrongdoers. “Please don’t say repeatedly that we [BJP] did. This is a very sad incident, not just for the Congress but for all of us. BJP does not subscribe to such activities, never.”
“I assure you that whatever happened there will certainly be investigated. The [BJP] national president will look into this. It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt,” he added.
However, Kharge underlined that he wants legal action to be taken against the culprits. “A case should be registered under the Untouchability Act against those who purified the stage and they should be arrested and sent to jail as well. This is my demand.”
Reacting to Kharge’s statement, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said, “If untouchability is not a sin, there is no sin in the world. Irrespective of parties or ideology, we all condemn untouchability. There is no need for anyone to purify. Those who have done the wrong thing, they will be investigated, they should be caught and they should be punished. There are no two different opinions on this.”
‘Imagine the message being sent to millions of Dalits’
Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the insult.
“This mindset clearly demonstrates the ideologies of the BJP and the RSS. This must be repudiated. Prime Minister Modi must apologise,” she said.
Karnataka home minister and Kharge’s son, Priyank Kharge, said on X, “The real face of the BJP and RSS stands exposed. After Shri Kharge’s address in Haldwani, a so-called “shuddhikaran” [purification] ritual was performed at the venue. If the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha with over 50 years in public service can be “purified,” imagine the message being sent to millions of Dalits who face caste discrimination every day.”
(This story was first published on The Wire and can be read here.)
