Kalaburagi Congress protests 'purification' ritual at Kharge venue in Uttarakhand
The Kalaburagi District Congress Committee staged a protest here on Sunday against the alleged 'purification' ritual performed at a venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had addressed a public meeting. The protest, which drew hundreds of party workers, was peaceful and concluded without any untoward incident.
The protest came days after Mr. Kharge, a Dalit leader, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, describing the incident as a reflection of the persistence of untouchability and caste discrimination, which are prohibited under the Constitution. The controversy erupted after a ritual was reportedly conducted at the Ramlila Maidan following his August 8 rally. The matter has since triggered a political row, with the government promising the Rajya Sabha that the allegation would be looked into.
The protest began from the party's district office off Sedam Road and culminated near Annapurna Cross. Party workers raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and what they described as communal and casteist tendencies. They also burnt tyres as a mark of protest, a common form of demonstration in India.
The protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as "80 years of Independence, has casteism still not gone?", "The Constitution is our religion and equality is its goal", "Purification should be of the mind, not by caste", "Before cleansing the soil, cleanse your minds" and "Hail unity, condemn hatred". These slogans underscored the protesters' demand for an end to caste-based discrimination and a strict adherence to constitutional values.
District Congress Committee president and MLC Jagdev Guttedar, MLA Allamaprabhu Patil, and another MLC Tippannappa Kamaknoor addressed the protesters. They condemned the incident and demanded action against those responsible for conducting the ritual, which they said was an insult to the Constitution and to democratic principles.
MLA of Kalaburagi North Kaneez Fatima, Kalaburagi Urban Development Authority chairman Mazhar Alam Khan, former Minister Revu Naik Belamagi, district president of the Five Guarantee Committee Chandrika Parameshwar, District Mahila Congress president Renuka Singe, District Youth Congress president Shakeel Ahmed Saradagi and party leaders Dr Kiran Deshmukh, Rajiv Jane, Subhash Rathod and Bhimrao T.T. were among those who participated in the protest.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of untouchability in Indian society. The practice of performing 'purification' rituals after a Dalit leader uses a venue is widely criticised by social reformers and constitutional experts as a manifestation of caste discrimination. The Constitution of India abolished untouchability under Article 17, making its practice a punishable offence.
The Kalaburagi protest is part of a series of demonstrations by Congress workers across the country condemning the incident. The party has called for a thorough investigation and for measures to prevent such acts in the future. The government, for its part, has assured Parliament that the matter is being examined.
The rally concluded with a call for unity and equality, with leaders urging citizens to reject hatred and casteism in all forms. The protest was a clear message that the ideals of the Constitution must be upheld, and that any attempt to undermine the dignity of any community will not go unchallenged.
