New Delhi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that there is no place for Dalits in the country. He made this remark at the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session.
This was his response to the purification at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani in Uttarakhand after he addressed a rally there.
“We have been saying all along that there is no space for Dalits in this country. They are dividing everyone in the name of religion. What was the need for a ‘havan’ there?” Kharge, asked.
He had addressed the “Vijay Shankhnaad” rally at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan on Saturday. Two days later, a right wing group, ‘Shri Ram Sena’, reportedly performed a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) havan at the venue.
The Shri Ram Sena performed a purification havan at M Kharge’s rally venue in Uttarakhand
“Ramlila Maidan is a venue for public meetings used by all parties, but what they did was, firstly, against the Hindu religion itself. Secondly, they are working to divide the country and incite conflict between castes,” he added, without naming anyone.
The Congress chief raised the issue in parliament on Thursday, the last day of the Monsoon Session.
“I was in Haldwani where I made a public speech at Ramlila Maidan. Lakhs of people were there. At that time, I did not mention the name of any community or religion. I only reiterated the issues of the government. But after my speech, people of BJP performed a havan there to ‘purify’ that stage. Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP,” Kharge said.
He then said the “purification of the satge” made him feel the sting of untauchability and humilitated him, underlining that he has the strength to fight and will fight.
“I do not want to turn this into a political issue. I have never told anyone that I am Dalit, protect me, nor have I begged in front of anyone. I have the strength to fight, and I do fight. But in Haldwani, the purification of the stage made me feel the sting of untouchability and humiliated me. My demand is a case should be registered under the Untouchability Act against those who purified the stage in Haldwani, and they should be arrested and sent to jail,” he said.
