Rahul Gandhi in Legal Trouble Over ‘Purification Ritual’ Remark; FIR Filed in Haldwani

Nainital: An FIR has been registered against Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, at Haldwani Kotwali police station over his remarks describing a ‘purification ritual’ conducted after a Congress rally as anti-Dalit.

The case was registered on the complaint of Amit Kumar, a Scheduled Caste youth, who alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s comments hurt the sentiments of the SC community.

According to reports, the FIR invokes Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3(1) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Controversy Over ‘Shuddhikaran Yajna’

The dispute is linked to a Congress rally held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground on August 8. Following the event, a Hindu organization conducted a ‘Shuddhikaran Yajna’ at the venue.

The organizers claimed the ritual was carried out to purify the ground after alleged filth was left behind and communal slogans were reportedly raised during the rally. The Congress, however, objected to the ritual and linked the controversy to the Dalit identity of party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Rahul Gandhi subsequently criticized the ritual, calling it anti-Dalit. His remarks triggered a political controversy, with the complainant alleging that they offended the sentiments of the Scheduled Caste community.

Police Begin Investigation

Based on Amit Kumar’s complaint, Haldwani police have registered the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and begun an investigation into the allegations. The case has added another layer to the political dispute surrounding the August 8 Congress rally and the subsequent purification ceremony.