Published Aug 20, 2026 | 2:29 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 20, 2026 | 2:29 PM
Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in Rajya Sabha (Photo| Screenshot/ Sansad TV)
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has reportedly expressed anguish over the way his own party members reacted to an allegedly casteist incident concerning him that happened earlier this month.
Speaking during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on August 19, Kharge referred to the “purification” ritual organised in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after his visit and expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s response.
The incident happened on August 10 at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan, two days after Kharge had addressed a rally at the venue. A right-wing group, ‘Shri Ram Sena’, performed a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual at the rally venue, with many pointing out that it was a casteist gesture aimed at the Congress leader.
According to multiple media reports, Kharge stated that he was “hurt” that the CWC members did not openly condemn the incident.
Kharge did not name anyone but reportedly expressed pain that the “good-looking people” who get space in the media did not speak about the incident, Indian Express reported, citing sources.
However, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, briefing the media after the CWC meet, touched upon the “purification” issue and stressed that the party had raised the issue and condemned it. He called the incident “unacceptable” and said it reflected the mindset of the BJP.
The Congress president had also raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, the last day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Stressing that he has never sought any kind of protection citing his Dalit identity, Kharge told the House that the incident felt like a humiliation to him.
“I do not want to turn this into a political issue. I have never told anyone that I am Dalit – protect me – nor have I begged in front of anyone. I have the strength to fight, and I do fight. But in Haldwani, the purification of the stage made me feel the sting of untouchability and humiliated me. My demand is that a case should be registered under the Untouchability Act against those who purified the stage in Haldwani, and they should be arrested and sent to jail,” he said.
To this, BJP leader and Union Minister JP Nadda responded, saying the incident was “unfortunate.” He reiterated the BJP’s claim that people associated with them were not involved in the incident and assured a probe.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
