DSS leads Kalaburagi protest against 'purification' ritual at Kharge's Haldwani venue
The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) held a protest march in Kalaburagi on Friday, strongly condemning the alleged purification ritual conducted at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after a rally addressed by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. The march was led by the DSS State convener, Dr. D.G. Sagar.
The protest was part of a State-wide agitation organised by the DSS at all district headquarters, according to a statement from the group. The incident in Haldwani, where a venue was reportedly purified after a Dalit leader's visit, has been widely criticised as a reflection of entrenched caste discrimination.
Dr. Sagar, along with DSS members carrying blue flags and photographs of Mr. Kharge, marched from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office, raising slogans against the alleged incident. The demonstrators demanded action against those responsible and called for greater awareness of constitutional values.
Addressing the protesters, Dr. Sagar said the reported purification of the venue after Mr. Kharge's visit was an affront to the dignity of the Dalit community. “Purifying a public place after a Dalit leader addresses a gathering is not merely an insult to Mallikarjun Kharge; it is an insult to the entire Dalit community and a reflection of the deep-rooted caste discrimination that continues to exist in society,” he said.
He argued that the incident demonstrates that the constitutional values of equality and social justice have not yet fully permeated society. “The Constitution has abolished untouchability and guarantees equality, but such incidents reveal that the mindset of untouchability is still alive. No place becomes impure because a Dalit leader or any member of a marginalised community visits it,” Dr. Sagar stated.
He urged authorities and political leaders to condemn such practices and take steps to ensure that incidents of caste-based discrimination do not recur. “Those who believe that a place needs to be purified after the visit of a Dalit leader must first purify their own minds of caste prejudice,” he added.
The DSS members demanded stringent action against those responsible for the alleged ritual and urged the government to create greater awareness about constitutional values and the need to eradicate caste discrimination. The protest concluded peacefully after the memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner's office.
