Kharge writes to Nadda over delay in FIR in Haldwani 'purification' case

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Union minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, J P Nadda, expressing surprise that no FIR has been registered in connection with the alleged "purification" ritual in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, even 24 days after the incident.

In his letter on Thursday, Kharge recalled raising the matter in the Upper House on August 13, describing the event as a matter of "great sadness and pain." He noted that Nadda had at the time termed the incident "very sad" and assured the House that the government would investigate it.

Kharge quoted Nadda as saying that the BJP never supports such activities and that strict action would be taken against those found guilty. He also noted that the Rajya Sabha Chairman had expressed deep anguish over the matter.

However, Kharge said he was surprised that no case had been filed against the organisations and individuals involved in the ceremony, which took place at the Ramlila Maidan venue where he had addressed a rally on August 8.

The Congress chief argued that the issue was not personal but connected to the sentiments of millions who face discrimination. He drew a parallel with the Mahad Satyagraha, recalling that B.R. Ambedkar faced a similar ritual after drawing water from a tank, when some people performed a ceremony with cow urine and cow dung.

Kharge has asked Nadda to direct Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure an FIR is registered in the case. The development comes amid the Congress's protest over a separate FIR against Rahul Gandhi, who had urged the Prime Minister to order a probe into the ritual, calling it a crime reflecting an "untouchability" mindset.