Partap Bajwa Challenges BJP Over Haldwani Purification FIR

The controversy centers on a 'shuddhikaran' ritual performed at the Ramlila Ground on August 8, immediately after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concluded a public address. Rahul Gandhi condemned the act as an expression of caste-based discrimination and untouchability, demanding legal action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those responsible.

Instead of pursuing the participants, authorities registered an FIR against Gandhi at the Haldwani Kotwali. The complaint, filed by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community, alleged that Gandhi misrepresented the cleaning and havan ceremony as an atrocity against the Scheduled Caste population. The case now includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Bajwa argued that the state’s decision to target the Leader of Opposition suggests tacit endorsement of the ritual. He demanded that the BJP clarify its stance on whether it upholds constitutional values or the practices that Gandhi sought to expose. While the Congress has mobilized protests against the legal action, the BJP maintains that the cleaning of the venue was a standard procedure and denies any party or RSS involvement in the incident.