Harish Rawat Observes Silence in Delhi Over FIR Against Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader and former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat began a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) in Delhi on Tuesday to protest the FIR registered against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The case stems from remarks Gandhi made about an alleged purification ritual at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground.

Before observing silence at Shri Guru Ravidas Dharm Sthan in RK Puram, Rawat said Gandhi had only spoken in line with the Constitution and the law. He questioned how an FIR could be filed against the Leader of Opposition for such remarks. Rawat described the incident involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as unacceptable and accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from key issues.

The controversy began after a 'shuddhikaran' havan was reportedly performed at the Haldwani venue on August 10, two days after Kharge addressed a rally there. Kharge called the ritual an insult and raised the matter in Parliament. Congress leaders linked the act to caste discrimination and untouchability. Rahul Gandhi later demanded an FIR, including under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The BJP has denied any role in the ritual, accusing the Congress of giving the incident a caste angle and misleading the Dalit community. The FIR against Gandhi was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act.

Rawat said the Congress would continue protests across the country. He also said he plans to sit on a day-long dharna at Lila Maidan in Haldwani once he is physically fit. Calling the issue larger than politics, he said it concerns equality and the practice of untouchability. He added that democratic forces would unite against what he termed an attack on freedom of expression.