What happened: shuddhikaran (“purification”) ritual after Kharge’s Haldwani rally
Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defended a reported shuddhikaran (“purification”) ritual at the venue where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally in Haldwani on August 8. Bhatt’s defence came after criticism in Parliament and after condemnation by Union minister and former BJP president J.P. Nadda.
Kharge addressed a ‘Vijay Shankhnaad’ rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila ground on August 8. Two days later, members of Shri Ram Sena reportedly performed a purification ritual at the same site.
Bhatt said the venue had been “polluted with slogans” and argued that religious and cultural venues should be respected. Bhatt rejected claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party organised the purification ritual and said the issue would be looked into.
Congress alleged that the purification ritual at the rally venue was linked to the BJP and demanded arrests of those involved. Congress leaders also accused the BJP of having an “anti-Dalit mindset.”
Background and earlier position: condemnation, allegations, and counter-claims
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