- August 13, 2026
Haldwani ‘Shuddhikaran’ Row: Kharge Accuses BJP Of ‘Untouchability’; Nadda Says ‘Not Us’
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The controversy began after a ‘shuddhikaran’ ritual was reportedly conducted at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following Kharge’s August 8 rally.
File image of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Union minister JP Nadda in Parliament. (Source: PTI)
A political confrontation erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday over a ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there on August 8.
Kharge raised the issue in the Upper House, alleging that the purification ritual was conducted at the venue after his visit and questioning whether such an act was compatible with democracy.
“I did not take any caste or religion name – I only raised the issue of people – but BJP and related organisation people did shuddhikaran yesterday at that place,” Kharge said.
He described the incident as an affront to the Constitution and said he wanted to raise it as a political issue.
“This is an insult to the Constitution,” Kharge said.
Kharge also said that he had spent years in Parliament and objected to what he described as an act of untouchability directed at him.
“I want to make this political issue – I am for years in this House – but if you do untouchability and insult me,” Kharge said.
Nadda Rejects BJP Link
BJP former president and Union minister JP Nadda termed the incident deeply distressing but rejected Kharge’s assertion that BJP workers were behind it.
“What Kharge ji said is very painful for all of us,” Nadda said.
“This is a very sad incident – not only for Congress but for everyone,” he added.
Nadda maintained that the people involved were not BJP members and stressed that the party does not endorse such conduct.
“Kharge ji said that those are BJP people – BJP does not subscribe to such activity,” Nadda said.
He also promised that the matter would be looked into.
“We will investigate it,” Nadda said. “I want to clarify that the BJP never subscribes to such activities,” he added.
Nadda further objected to Kharge continuing to hold the BJP responsible after the party had already denied involvement and promised an inquiry.
“We have said we will probe…we have said we don’t subscribe – but still going on accusing us…is not right,” Nadda said.
Rajya Sabha Chair Condemns Incident
The Rajya Sabha chair intervened during the exchange, stressing that an alleged insult to Kharge would amount to an insult to everyone in the House.
“If Kharge ji is insulted – everyone is insulted,” the Chair said.
The Chair also said the incident should be condemned irrespective of political affiliations and called for those responsible to be identified and punished.
“We all condemn irrespective of party,” the Chair said.
Those behind the act, the Chair added, should be caught and face punishment.
What Happened In Haldwani?
The controversy began after a ‘shuddhikaran’ ritual was reportedly conducted at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following Kharge’s August 8 rally.
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the Shri Ram Sena, which carried out the ceremony, was linked to the BJP. The BJP has rejected the allegation and said the Congress was attempting to target the party for political reasons.
Godiyal alleged that Kharge’s Dalit identity was the reason behind the purification ritual and accused the BJP of encouraging caste-based divisions.
He called the incident a crime against humanity and questioned why action had not been taken against the group by the Nainital senior superintendent of police.
The BJP has denied that the ceremony had anything to do with Kharge’s caste. Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das instead claimed that slogans raised during Kharge’s rally had hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.
Das said the Ramlila Ground carries religious significance and alleged that slogans associated with another religion had angered some people present there.
The dispute is now being played out in Parliament, with Nadda promising an investigation while reiterating that the BJP does not support the alleged conduct.
With inputs from PTI
About the Author
Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
Delhi, India, India
August 13, 2026, 11:42 IST
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