Mayawati Condemns ‘Purification’ of Kharge Speech Venue, Demands Police Action
BSP chief urges Uttarakhand authorities to take strict legal action over the alleged incident and also condemns the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded.
LUCKNOW, Aug 14: BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday strongly condemned the alleged “purification” of a stage in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public gathering there, describing the incident as deeply concerning and unacceptable.
The alleged incident occurred at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand, where Kharge delivered a speech on August 8. The Congress president later raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha, alleging that people linked to the BJP were behind the act.
Kharge demanded that those responsible be booked under laws dealing with untouchability and face imprisonment. The issue has since triggered a political debate over caste discrimination and social equality.
Reacting to the controversy, Mayawati said the incident had already been brought to the country’s attention through Parliament. She urged the Uttarakhand government to take action against those she described as casteist and feudal elements allegedly involved in the incident.
She also called upon RSS leadership to take serious note of the matter, referring to the organisation’s position on reservation and the debate surrounding benefits for economically better off sections among Dalits.
The controversy comes amid renewed political discussion over caste discrimination and the treatment of Dalit leaders in public life. Mayawati said incidents of this nature should not be ignored and called for accountability under the law.
Union Minister J P Nadda has also condemned the alleged act, according to Mayawati.
In a separate statement, the BSP chief expressed concern over the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Badal, a former Punjab deputy chief minister, was attacked with a kirpan at a gurdwara on Thursday and sustained an injury to his hand. Police arrested the alleged attacker following the incident.
Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan identified the accused as a Nihang and said he had been taken into custody.
Mayawati described the assault as deeply distressing and urged both the Central and Maharashtra governments to treat the matter seriously and ensure strict legal action against those responsible.
The BSP leader’s remarks on both incidents come amid heightened political focus on caste related discrimination, public security and the need for authorities to respond firmly to alleged violations of law.
