Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday alleged in the Rajya Sabha that persons associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party had performed a ritual to purify the ground in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani where he addressed a rally on August 8.Kharge, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said that he had never sought any help or protection because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.“But you treat me as untouchable, perform purification and insult me,” he added. “Is this what should be done in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution?”He demanded that those who had performed the ritual should be arrested.Responding to him, Union minister JP Nadda said that the BJP “does not subscribe to such activities”.“This is sad, not just for the Congress, but for all of us,” said Nadda. “We will investigate this. I condemn this.”The former national president of the BJP added: “It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt.”The purification ritual in Haldwani was performed by a group named Shri Ram Sena, reported The Hindu. The Congress’ Uttarakhand unit had alleged that the group is associated with the BJP.However, the Hindutva party has denied association with the group and claimed that slogans shouted at Kharge’s rally had offended those who believed in Sanatan Dharma, reported the newspaper.Sanatana Dharma is a term some people use as a synonym for Hinduism.On Tuesday, the Congress’ Uttarakhand unit chief Ganesh Godiyal said that the “purification” of the ground from which Kharge spoke, “by individuals associated with the BJP, is extremely hurtful and reprehensible”.“This incident reflects caste-based discrimination and a narrow-minded mentality,” Godiyal said in a video posted on social media. “The Congress believes in humanity, equality and brotherhood, whereas such events promote hatred and division in society.”हल्द्वानी में कांग्रेस की रैली में माननीय राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री मल्लिकार्जुन खड़गे जी ने जिस मंच से जनता को संबोधित किया, उसी मंच का भाजपा से जुड़े लोगों द्वारा ‘शुद्धिकरण’ किया जाना बेहद आहत करने वाला और निंदनीय है। यह घटना जातिगत भेदभाव और संकीर्ण मानसिकता को दर्शाती है।… pic.twitter.com/bAWZyKVTHI— Ganesh Godiyal (@UKGaneshGodiyal) August 12, 2026