The Congress chief reportedly told CWC members he was hurt that more leaders did not openly condemn the Haldwani incident
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed disappointment with several senior party leaders over their muted response to the Haldwani ‘purification’ controversy, raising the issue at the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi.
Sources said Kharge told CWC members that he was hurt that many of them had not publicly condemned the ritual conducted at the Haldwani venue where he had addressed a rally earlier this month. He did not single out any leader by name.
The controversy erupted after a group identified as Shri Ram Sena conducted a ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on August 10, two days after Kharge’s rally. Congress leaders have described the act as an insult to Kharge and an expression of caste prejudice.
Kharge had earlier raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha, saying the incident made him feel the pain of untouchability. He called for a case under the law dealing with untouchability and demanded action against those responsible.
The BJP has distanced itself from the incident. Union Minister JP Nadda called the episode unfortunate and said the BJP does not support such practices, while assuring Parliament that the matter would be examined.
The issue has since widened into a political confrontation over caste discrimination and the response of political parties. Congress leaders have accused the BJP and RSS of promoting an anti-Dalit mindset, while the BJP has rejected any involvement in the ritual.
Kharge’s remarks at the CWC meeting now bring the controversy into focus within the Congress itself, highlighting his expectation that senior party colleagues should have responded more forcefully to the incident.
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This old man should be retiring from public life & be going spiritual for next life. Can only pity & helplessness of this person for continuing to be slave of a Italian Bar Girl & keep licking them at this advanced age.
He has no guts nor bold to raise his voice, but only limit his grumblings to bathroom