Haldwani purification row FIR demands

A political controversy erupted in India after a 'purification' ritual (shuddhikaran) was allegedly performed at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, India — Uttarakhand, following a Congress rally addressed by Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8, 2026. Congress leaders, including Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, condemned the act as untouchability and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act against those responsible. Kharge wrote to Jagad Prakash Nadda, Leader of the House in the India — Rajya Sabha, urging him to direct India — Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure registration of an FIR, noting that 24 days had passed without action. Rahul Gandhi publicly demanded justice and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence. In response, an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi on August 30 based on a complaint by a member of the Valmiki community, alleging his remarks hurt Scheduled Caste sentiments. The BJP denied any caste angle, with leaders like Sudhanshu Trivedi and Mahendra Bhatt defending the ritual as unrelated to caste. Congress workers protested, while BJP workers burned effigies of Gandhi. The incident has become a flashpoint in the run-up to the 2027 India — Uttarakhand Assembly elections, highlighting caste-based discrimination and political tensions.