Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 29: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded registration of an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those who allegedly conducted a "purification ritual" at a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a gathering addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhawan, Gandhi described the ritual as an act of untouchability and a violation of the Constitution. He alleged that the incident reflected what he called a "BJP-RSS mindset" that was opposed to the dignity and progress of Dalits.

Kharge had addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. Two days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena reportedly conducted a shuddhikaran havan at the same venue.

The Congress has alleged that the ritual amounted to caste-based discrimination, pointing to Kharge's Dalit identity. Kharge had earlier raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha, saying the incident had made him feel the "sting of untouchability".

Gandhi questioned the government's commitment to tackling caste discrimination and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure legal action against those responsible for the alleged ritual.

The BJP has distanced itself from the incident. BJP president and Leader of the House J P Nadda condemned the ritual as "painful and unacceptable" and denied any connection between the party and those who organised it.

Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt, however, said the ritual was linked to the political atmosphere at the venue and slogans allegedly raised there, rather than Kharge's caste. He accused the Congress of exaggerating the issue for political purposes.

The controversy has triggered a political confrontation over allegations of caste discrimination, with the Congress demanding criminal action and the BJP rejecting any caste-based motive behind the ritual.