Kharge Demands FIR Over Caste-Based Purification Ritual in Haldwani

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Leader of the House JP Nadda, demanding an FIR over a caste-based "purification" ritual held in Haldwani after his August 8 rally, citing inaction 24 days later. In his September 2 letter, Kharge reminded Nadda of his August 13 Rajya Sabha assurance of strict action, calling the ritual at Ramlila Maidan "contrary to the spirit of the Constitution." He drew parallels to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Mahad Satyagraha, urging Nadda to direct Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to register a case. The Congress has launched a nationwide protest, alleging state police have ignored complaints. Kharge stressed the issue transcends his position, linking it to the sentiments of "crores of people" and a casteist mindset in society.