A fresh political confrontation erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday after Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that a ‘shuddikaran’ ritual was conducted at a venue in Haldwani after he addressed a rally there on August 8.
Raising the issue on the concluding day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, Kharge alleged that the reported purification ceremony was linked to his identity as a Dalit. He accused the BJP of creating an atmosphere where people from marginalised communities could face discrimination.
Kharge also said he did not want to turn the matter into a political controversy, insisting that his Haldwani visit was focused on issues affecting the local population.
“I don’t want to make it a political issue. I have been a parliamentarian for years, but I have never begged in front of anyone just because I am a Dalit. You have insulted me… The accused should be arrested,” Kharge said.
His remarks triggered a strong response from the government benches, with Union Health Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda assuring the House that the allegations would be examined.
Nadda said any person found responsible for the alleged act would face action. At the same time, he objected to Kharge’s attempt to connect the incident directly with the BJP, arguing that such an allegation was unacceptable without establishing the facts.
“We will investigate this. However, if Kharge ji is accusing us for this, then that is not acceptable. Whoever has done this, it is wrong. Don’t sensationalise this. Even I am saddened by this. We will go into the details of it and if anyone is found guilty, then action will be taken. I request you not to politicise this,” Nadda said.
Nadda’s response, however, did little to immediately cool tempers in the House. Kharge continued to press his allegations, prompting Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to intervene.
Radhakrishnan said the reported incident was serious and should be condemned irrespective of political ideology. He made it clear that those responsible should be identified and punished if the allegations are established.
“There is no need to purify it. Those who did it, it would be investigated and they should be caught. They must be punished. There is no debate on this,” Radhakrishnan said.
The Chairman subsequently appealed to both Kharge and Nadda to cooperate and allow parliamentary proceedings to continue.
The heated exchange came as the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on July 20, concluded on Thursday.
