Dehradun: Police in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, have filed an FIR against unknown persons over allegations that a “purification” rite was performed at Ramlila Maidan after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there last month.
The case was registered at Haldwani Kotwali following a written complaint by senior advocate Anju. Investigators have invoked Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to police, they had received close to 80 complaints and petitions from across the state, including 19 from Nainital district.
Caste Bias Alleged
The petitioner alleged that a “purification” ritual was conducted at the venue after Kharge spoke to the crowd. In her complaint, she said the act betrayed caste-based prejudice, social contempt and a feeling of hatred and inferiority toward a member of the Scheduled Caste community, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Officials said the probe would involve a close examination of videos of the alleged incident, social media posts and other digital and physical evidence. Police will also try to pinpoint those behind the alleged ritual and determine if it was planned or prompted by any person or group. The investigation has been assigned to Superintendent of Police (Crime) Dr Jagdish Chandra.
The FIR follows repeated protests by Congress leaders and workers, who had been pressing for legal action. Its registration has given the political row a judicial edge and comes just ahead of the BJP national president’s planned visit to Haldwani.
‘Act Was Hateful’
Anju told The New Indian Express that said she had submitted her complaint on August 15 over the “hateful and deplorable act” carried out after Kharge’s rally.
“I remained silent during the preliminary inquiry. However, when I learnt that an FIR had been registered against Rahul Gandhi, I met the Senior Superintendent of Police and also staged a four-hour protest at the police station,” she said.
“The authorities assured me that action would be taken within a week, and the FIR was subsequently registered,” she added.
Anju emphasised that she was not linked to any political party and had gone to the event only to hear Kharge’s speech.
“Some mischievous elements allegedly used artificial intelligence to edit the footage and insert slogans such as ‘Allah Hu Akbar’. No such slogans were raised at the venue. I was personally present there,” she claimed.
Police said further steps would follow once the evidence is reviewed and those responsible are identified.