New Delhi: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised strong objections in Parliament on Thursday following allegations that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party performed a purification ceremony on a stage he had recently used for a public address. The incident occurred at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where Kharge had delivered a speech regarding regional public grievances. He demanded that authorities register cases under the Untouchability Act against those responsible, calling for their arrest and imprisonment.
Speaking on the final day of the Monsoon Session, Kharge stated that he had not referenced any specific religion or section of society during his speech, expressing concern over the implications of the act on democratic norms and constitutional protections. He clarified that while he did not intend to politicize the issue, the performance of a havan to purify the stage constituted a personal insult. The matter prompted significant sloganeering in the Upper House from both Opposition and Treasury benches.
In response, Leader of the House and Union Minister J.P. Nadda condemned the incident and assured the House that the BJP does not subscribe to such practices. Nadda stated that the matter would undergo a thorough investigation to determine the facts. Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also condemned the act and instructed the government to ensure a proper inquiry into the allegations.
