Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge holds up a sword presented to him by Uttarakhand Congress leaders, including State in-charge Kumari Selja, during a public rally, in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, on August 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Political confrontation has intensified in Uttarakhand following a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony reportedly held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there on Saturday (August 8, 2026).Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which conducted the ritual, had links to the BJP and the purification was done because Mr. Kharge is a Dalit. He accused the BJP of promoting caste-based divisions and described the incident as deeply objectionable.Uttarakhand Congress president also came down heavily on the statements made by the volunteers of the organisation who, in their interviews to media, said that Mr. Kharge is an anti-Hindu man, who rejected the existence of Ram.“The purification of the same platform from which the our president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed the public during the Congress rally in Haldwani, carried out by individuals associated with the BJP, is extremely hurtful and reprehensible,” Mr. Godiyal said.He added that this incident reflects caste-based discrimination and a narrow-minded mentality and urged the SSP Nainital to take cognizance of this matter, conduct an impartial investigation, and ensure appropriate action against the guilty if there has been a violation of the law.“There is no place for discrimination and untouchability in modern democratic India. We strongly oppose such a mentality through democratic and constitutional means. As Mahatma Gandhi ji said, Untouchability is a sin against God... Humanity and equality are the highest religion,” he added.The BJP, however, has rejected the claim and denied any association with the organisation. It also accused the Congress of using the controversy to target the party for political reasons.BJP State spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das said slogans allegedly raised during Mr. Kharge’s rally had offended those who believed in Sanatan Dharma.He accused the Congress of trying to shift the focus of the controversy by portraying the purification ceremony as an issue of caste and alleged that the party was attempting to divide society along caste lines. He further criticised the opposition over its historical approach to Sanatan traditions and referred to controversies involving leaders such as Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Sitaram Kesri and Babu Jagjivan Ram, alleging that the party had a record of disrespecting prominent Dalit leaders. Published - August 13, 2026 05:56 am IST
