Congress Stages Haldwani Sit-in Over Ramlila Maidan Ritual

The standoff escalated when the Circle Officer attempted to offer a formal acknowledgment of the complaint rather than filing an FIR. Protesters refused to vacate the premises, leading to a tense half-hour wait while the officer consulted with senior command. Heavy security now lines the Senior Superintendent of Police office as party members maintain their vigil, demanding legal action against the Shri Ram Sena members who conducted the August ritual.

The controversy traces back to August 10, when members of the right-wing group performed a havan and sprinkled gangajal on the stage where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had held a rally two days prior. Congress leadership condemned the act as a blatant display of an anti-Dalit mindset and a violation of constitutional protections against untouchability. While figures like Rahul Gandhi and Asaduddin Owaisi have labeled the event a discriminatory attack on a Dalit leader, the organizers claim the ritual was merely a response to violations of religious decorum at the site. The BJP has officially distanced itself from the organizers, with JP Nadda affirming in Parliament that the party holds no ties to the group responsible for the event.