CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has demanded action from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over an alleged “purification” programme held after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Rahul Gandhi said an FIR should be registered in the matter under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, or the SC/ST Act.
Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. According to reports, two days later, people associated with the Shri Ram Sena performed a havan at the same venue in the name of “purification”. Congress leaders alleged that the programme was held because Kharge is Dalit.
Rahul Gandhi strongly objected to the incident, linking it to social discrimination and untouchability. He said such an incident should not be ignored and that immediate action should be taken under the law against those responsible. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi issue directions for registration of an FIR.
The Congress has also targeted the BJP and the RSS over the issue. Rahul Gandhi alleged that such incidents reflect a discriminatory mindset towards Dalits. Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, however, rejected the Congress’s allegations and said the BJP had no connection with the programme.
The political controversy over the incident has intensified. Attention is now on what action the administration takes in the matter and in which direction the investigation into the alleged “purification” programme moves forward.
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