Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (August 29, 2026) pressed for the registration of an FIR under the SC/ST law over the shuddhikaran havan (purification ritual) conducted at a public ground in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after his party president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally there earlier in the month.

“The BJP-RSS people practice untouchability, though it is banned, a crime as per Constitution,” Mr. Gandhi said, addressing a press conference in New Delhi. He also played a video of Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defending the ritual, stating ‘the place was polluted with slogans’.

Mr. Kharge addressed the “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila ground on August 8, 2026. Two days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena reportedly performed the ‘purification’ ritual at the same site.

The Congress wants PM to soon order FIR registration under SC/ST law against those indulging in purification act, the LoP said, asserting that Mr. Kharge “will get justice in Uttarakhand, whether it is today or tomorrow”. “If such a thing can be done against senior person like Mallikarjun Kharge, imagine what can be done to a four-year-old in a school,” he said.

“This incident shows the BJP-RSS’ mindset. They don’t want that Dalits love with dignity and success,” Mr. Gandhi added. During the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister and former BJP national president J.P. Nadda in the Rajya Sabha had condemned the incident, stating that an investigation will be taken up.

On being asked about Mr. Kharge pointing out in the CWC that not many supported him, Mr. Gandhi said, “No that’s not what he said. He said certain people didn’t support. I supported him and a whole lot of other people supported him”.

Mr. Gandhi, who was asked about the ongoing controversy over the publication of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, said, “that’s a digression, I am not interested”.

“Our issue is that the Congress President should get justice,” he reiterated.