Rahul Gandhi Demands Action Over Purification of Kharge’s Speech Stage in Haldwani

Image Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Dated 29th August 2026

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Chief Political Editor

New Delhi | Congress Leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that a battle is going on in the country between two ideologies — the ideology of the Constitution and the ideology of the BJP-RSS.

Addressing the media at a special Congress party briefing at Indira Bhawan, AICC Headquarters in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi spoke about the discrimination and atrocities faced by Dalits in the country. He said that despite the Constitution providing equal rights to all citizens, violence and discrimination against Dalits continue in many parts of the country.

Rahul Gandhi said that in some schools, Dalit children are allegedly made to clean toilets and sweep floors. He also alleged that Dalits are sometimes stopped from drawing water from wells and face discrimination at tea stalls. He said that in some places, Dalits are beaten, threatened and intimidated for riding horses during wedding processions.

VIDEO | Highlights | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressing media during the special Congress party briefing at Indira Bhawan, AICC Headquarters, New Delhi | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

Rahul Gandhi said that the more successful a Dalit person becomes, the stronger the attacks against them can be. He cited incidents involving Rajasthan Congress Legislature Party leader Tikaram Julie, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, alleging that purification rituals were carried out after their visits to temples or public places.

Referring to the incident in Haldwani, Rahul Gandhi said that a purification ritual was carried out on the stage where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally. He said the incident was an insult to Kharge and to Dalits across the country.

According to Rahul Gandhi, Kharge had raised the issue in Parliament and described the incident as a crime and an insult to every Dalit in the country. Rahul Gandhi alleged that despite several days having passed, no action had been taken against those responsible.

Rahul Gandhi demanded that FIRs should be registered against those who carried out the purification ritual in Uttarakhand. He also demanded action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should direct the authorities to take action against those responsible. Rahul Gandhi also questioned the difference between the statements of the BJP leadership and the actions of BJP-RSS workers on the issue.

Rahul Gandhi said that the incident shows the ideological difference between the Constitution and the BJP-RSS ideology. He alleged that the BJP-RSS does not want Dalits to progress, succeed and live with dignity.

VIDEO | Highlights | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressing media during the special Congress party briefing at Indira Bhawan, AICC Headquarters, New Delhi | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

He further said that untouchability is a crime and described the purification of the stage after Kharge’s speech as an act of untouchability. He demanded justice for Kharge and said that both the state and central governments should ensure action in the matter.

Rahul Gandhi also said that the Congress party would continue to pursue the matter and ensure that action is taken against those responsible. He said that even if the BJP government fails to act, the Congress party will not allow the culprits to escape.

VIDEO | Highlights | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addressing media during the special Congress party briefing at Indira Bhawan, AICC Headquarters, New Delhi | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

Rahul Gandhi said the Congress will continue to raise the issue of discrimination against Dalits and demand justice in the Haldwani incident. He said the Constitution guarantees equality, dignity and equal rights to every citizen and alleged that such incidents show the need for strict action against untouchability and caste-based discrimination. He also assured that the Congress party would continue to pursue the matter until action is taken against those responsible.

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid