Congress Targets BJP Over Uttarakhand Chief’s ‘Purification’ Ritual at Kharge Rally Site

New Delhi, Aug 27: The Congress on Thursday stepped up its attack on the BJP over the alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony held at a rally venue in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering there, accusing Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt of defending the practice.

The opposition party questioned whether the BJP leadership would take disciplinary action against Bhatt for his reported remarks and accused the ruling party of failing to address what it described as discrimination against Dalits.

Bhatt, while responding to criticism of the ceremony, reportedly said the venue had been “polluted” by slogans that were inappropriate for a religious place. His comments drew a fresh response from Congress leaders.

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera shared a video of Bhatt’s remarks and said the BJP’s Uttarakhand unit chief had effectively justified the ceremony.

Khera also referred to BJP president J P Nadda’s earlier description of the incident as “unfortunate”, arguing that Bhatt’s reported comments contradicted that position.

The Congress leader said the incident highlighted the continuing presence of discriminatory practices against Dalits. He questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would intervene against Bhatt and said statements supporting social equality would have little meaning without action.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also posted the video on social media, accusing the Uttarakhand BJP chief of defending the alleged purification ceremony.

The controversy relates to an event held at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani after Kharge addressed a public gathering there on August 8. The Congress Working Committee had subsequently condemned the alleged ceremony and described it as unacceptable.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had also criticised the incident and questioned the Prime Minister’s silence, while demanding an apology from Modi.

Kharge himself had accused the BJP of being “anti-religion” over the alleged ritual. He questioned what he called the selective interpretation of religious values and said the ceremony took place two days after his address at the venue.

The Congress has also alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which conducted the ceremony, had links with the BJP. The ruling party has strongly rejected the allegation.

The dispute has since developed into a wider political confrontation over caste discrimination, religious practices and the BJP’s position on social equality.