Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 13 : Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday lashed out against the BJP and the RSS over the alleged "shuddhikaran" (purification) ritual performed at a venue in Uttarakhand's Haldwani after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that they want to exclude marginalised communities.
Taking to X, Priyank Kharge questioned what kind of message it sends to millions of Dalits facing caste discrimination daily if a veteran political leader such as Mallikarjun Kharge, with over 50 years of public service, can be targeted for ritual purification.
"The real face of the BJP and RSS stands exposed. After Shri @kharge's address in Haldwani, a so-called "shuddhikaran" ritual was performed at the venue. If the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha with over 50 years in public service can be "purified," imagine the message being sent to millions of Dalits who face caste discrimination every day."
"@narendramodi wants to build a #ViksitBharat by excluding Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis.The BJP and RSS don't only have a problem with Shri Kharge, they have a problem with equality, dignity, and social justice," he added.
Priyank Kharge's sharp remarks come in the wake of a massive political row inside the Rajya Sabha, where Mallikarjun Kharge raised the Haldwani incident.
Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of carrying out a 'Shuddhikaran' ritual of the stage at Uttarakhand's Haldwani, where the latter addressed a rally.
Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on August 8 as part of the party's preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election.
Speaking in the House, Kharge, pointing out the incident, said that lakhs of people were present when he delivered the speech at Haldwani.
He said, "It pains me to say that I had delivered a speech at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, where lakhs of people were present. I did not mention the name of any community or religion there; I only spoke about the problems faced by the people."
"But after my speech, people associated with the BJP carried out a 'purification' ritual of that stage. You may have read about this in the newspapers. Is this the way things should happen in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution?" Kharge alleged.
Replying to this, Leader of the House JP Nadda condemned the alleged incident while asserting that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities.
Nadda also said that the BJP will surely investigate the allegations raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
"What Kharge ji has said is truly a matter of concern--not just for the Congress party, but for all of us. Kharge ji has said that those who did this were BJP people. I want to make it absolutely clear that the BJP does not subscribe to such activities," he said.
"However, since you have raised the issue, we will have it investigated. But let me reiterate that the BJP does not support or endorse such activities. It is a matter of regret for all of us," the BJP leader emphasised.
Meanwhile, LoP Kharge again stood up and said that he does not want to turn the incident into a political issue.
"I do not want to turn this into a political issue. I have been in this House for many years, but I have never stood before anyone and pleaded for help by saying that I am an SC or a Dalit. I have the strength to fight, and I fight. But when you practise untouchability against me, you insult and humiliate me," he said.
JP Nadda again stood up and reiterated that the BJP does not endorse such activities.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Chairman CP Radhakrishnan asserted that all of the members condemn untouchability.
"We all condemn this, irrespective of party or ideology. We all condemn untouchability, and we are all already 'purified.' There is no need for anyone to purify us again and again," he said.
The Chairman also requested the government to investigate the allegations, and if true, the accused should be punished.
"I also request the government that those who have done this wrong should be investigated, apprehended, and punished. There is no second opinion on this," he said.