Updated On: 05 Sep 2026
BENGALURU: Bengaluru Police have registered a zero FIR based on a complaint over the alleged “purification ritual” conducted at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally there on August 8.
The FIR was registered at Vidhana Soudha Police Station under Sections 7(1)(c), 7(1)(d) and 7(1)(e) of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955; Section 3(1)(u) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989; and Section 196(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with promoting enmity between different groups.
Congress leader alleges casteist intent
The complaint was filed on August 31 by TR Ramappa, former vice-chairman of the Congress ST Department. He alleged that certain BJP members organised a “purification ritual” or “Shuddhikkaran” at the Haldwani venue on August 10.
According to the complaint, the ritual conveyed the “deeply offensive, derogatory and casteist notion” that Kharge’s presence had rendered the venue “impure” because he belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
Ramappa termed the act an insult and alleged that it amounted to an offence under laws dealing with untouchability.
The complaint also named Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt for allegedly defending and justifying the ritual after it came under criticism.
Zero FIR to be transferred to Haldwani
As a zero FIR, the case can be registered at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction. Vidhana Soudha Police said the FIR would be transferred to the jurisdictional police station in Haldwani for further investigation.
A police officer said similar FIRs had been registered at at least eight places across the country in connection with the incident.
Kharge raises issue in Rajya Sabha
The alleged “purification” incident has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP.
Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13 and subsequently wrote to Leader of the House JP Nadda, questioning the delay in registering an FIR over the incident.
In his letter, Kharge said the “purification” carried out at the venue where he addressed the rally was contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and human values, and linked the practice to untouchability.
He also drew a parallel with Dr BR Ambedkar’s Mahad Satyagraha of 1927, which sought to secure the right of untouchables to access drinking water from the public Chawdar Tank in Mahad, Maharashtra.
