SC/ST Congress Leaders to Approach President Over 'Purification' Row

A group of Congress leaders from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities is set to approach President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention in the controversy surrounding an alleged “purification” ritual at a public ground in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.

Thirty-two Congress MPs from the SC and ST communities discussed the issue at a meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi and decided to submit a memorandum to the President. The leaders have raised concerns over the alleged ritual, arguing that the incident raises serious questions about caste discrimination, dignity and constitutional safeguards.

The controversy centres on an alleged purification ceremony at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 11, three days after Kharge addressed a Congress rally at the venue. Congress leaders have alleged that the ceremony was conducted because Kharge, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, had visited the ground.

The incident has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP in Uttarakhand. Congress leaders have condemned the alleged ceremony and demanded action against those responsible. They have also questioned the delay in registering a police case over the matter. Kharge has previously raised the issue with BJP president J.P. Nadda, seeking action over the alleged incident. Congress leaders have maintained that the matter should not be treated merely as a political dispute and have instead linked it to the constitutional prohibition of untouchability and protections available to members of SC and ST communities.

The BJP has rejected allegations of involvement in the alleged purification ceremony. Party leaders have maintained that the BJP was not responsible for the event, while the political dispute has continued to intensify. The controversy has also led to legal developments. A Zero FIR was reportedly registered in Bengaluru following a complaint concerning the alleged ceremony, naming Uttarakhand BJP leaders and others. The case is expected to be dealt with by the police authorities having jurisdiction over the alleged incident.

Congress leaders have now decided to take the matter to the President, seeking intervention and appropriate action. The move is expected to further intensify the political debate in Uttarakhand, where issues of caste, social equality and constitutional rights have become part of the wider political discourse. The Congress has also indicated that its SC and ST lawmakers may seek a more formal parliamentary platform to raise issues concerning these communities. For now, the focus remains on the memorandum to President Murmu and the response from the authorities to the allegations surrounding the Haldwani incident.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters