On August 13, 2026, Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge condemned a purification ceremony held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground following his August 8 public address, sparking a political exchange on the final day of the Parliament Monsoon Session according to official reports.
Mallikarjun Kharge Condemns Haldwani Purification Ritual in Rajya Sabha
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, August 13, 2026, stating that people associated with the BJP performed a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) havan after he delivered a speech at the venue. According to Kharge, his address focused entirely on public issues without naming any specific religion or community. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan allowed Kharge to speak, stating that an insult to Kharge constitutes an insult to everyone, while noting that untouchability remains a major sin requiring condemnation and the arrest of perpetrators. Kharge demanded that a formal case be registered under the Untouchability Act against those responsible for the ritual.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda Responds and Announces Inquiry
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda addressed the upper house regarding the incident, calling it truly unfortunate and apologizing for the hurt caused to Kharge according to parliamentary records. Nadda stated that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities and announced that an inquiry would be initiated by party leadership, specifically involving National President Nitin Nabin, to take action against those involved. While Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena group behind the ritual had links to the BJP and carried out the act because Kharge is a Dalit, Uttarakhand BJP cabinet minister and state spokesperson Khajan Das denied any connection to the organizers. Das stated that the allegations were false and claimed that slogans raised during the Congress rally had hurt Sanatan sentiments.
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