A political controversy erupted in Uttarakhand on Thursday over a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony allegedly held at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.

The Congress alleged that the ritual was carried out because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community, while the BJP strongly denied any association with the group that conducted the ceremony and accused the opposition party of politicising the incident.

Congress accuses BJP of caste-based politics

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which reportedly conducted the ceremony, was associated with the BJP. He claimed the ritual reflected an attempt to divide society along caste lines.

Godiyal described the alleged purification ceremony as a “crime against humanity” and said the episode highlighted what he termed the fundamental ideological difference between the Congress and the BJP.

He also questioned the Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) over the alleged lack of action against the right-wing group.

The controversy intensified after Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Kharge raises issue in Rajya Sabha

Kharge said he had addressed a large public gathering at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani and maintained that he had not referred to any particular community or religion during his speech.

He alleged that a havan was conducted at the venue after his address to “purify” the stage.

“Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution?” Kharge asked, while identifying himself as a member of a Scheduled Caste and a Dalit.

He went on to say that he had never sought special treatment because of his caste and asserted that he had the strength to fight political battles. However, he alleged that treating him as “untouchable” and conducting a purification ritual after his speech amounted to an insult.

Nadda condemns incident, orders probe

Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda expressed regret over the incident and assured Kharge that the matter would be investigated.

“What Kharge ji said is really sad; not just for the Congress party but for all of us,” Nadda said, making it clear that the BJP did not subscribe to such activities. He condemned the alleged incident and said the BJP would investigate what had happened at the venue.

Nadda also said Kharge’s sentiments being hurt was a matter of regret.

BJP denies link to incident, blames Congress

The BJP, however, rejected the Congress’s allegation that the group conducting the ceremony had links with the party.

Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das claimed that slogans allegedly raised during Kharge’s rally had hurt the sentiments of members of the Sanatan community.

Das said the Ramlila Ground held religious significance and claimed people were angered by slogans related to another religion being raised there.

The BJP also rejected the Congress’s claim that the purification ceremony was connected to Kharge’s caste. Das instead accused the Congress of having a history of disrespecting prominent Dalit leaders, including Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

With both parties trading allegations, the controversy has added a fresh flashpoint to the political discourse in Uttarakhand, even as the BJP leadership has promised to examine the circumstances surrounding the disputed ceremony.