BSP chief Mayawati has strongly criticised the alleged purification of a stage in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a gathering there, calling the incident deeply concerning and demanding strict action against those responsible.
Mayawati also expressed concern over the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Mayawati condemns alleged Haldwani ‘purification’
Kharge had addressed a gathering at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8. The stage was allegedly subjected to a purification ritual after his event.
Kharge, who is a Dalit leader, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He alleged that people linked to the BJP were behind the incident and demanded legal action under provisions related to untouchability.
Reacting to the controversy, Mayawati said the incident was highly condemnable and should not be ignored.
“The nation was apprised of this incident yesterday through Parliament. This matter is highly condemnable and deeply concerning,” she said in a post on X.
The BSP chief urged the Uttarakhand government to take action against those responsible and described them as casteist and feudal elements.
Mayawati asks RSS chief to take note
Mayawati also said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should take note of the controversy and seriously consider the issue.
She referred to his views on reservation and Dalits while questioning how such an incident could take place.
According to Mayawati, the controversy should prompt serious reflection on caste discrimination and social equality.
Nadda also condemned the incident
Mayawati noted that Union Minister JP Nadda had also condemned the alleged purification incident.
The controversy has already triggered a political debate, with Kharge demanding action and the BJP maintaining that such an act should not be supported.
Mayawati reacts to Sukhbir Badal attack
Mayawati also commented on the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Badal was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon inside a gurdwara and suffered an injury to his hand. Police identified the attacker as a Nihang and took him into custody.
Mayawati described the incident as deeply distressing and said both the Central and Maharashtra governments must treat it seriously.
“The Central and Maharashtra governments should treat this incident with the utmost seriousness and take strict legal action against the perpetrators,” she said.
Nihang attacker taken into custody
Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan said the attack was carried out with a kirpan. The accused was subsequently detained by police.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and trying to establish what led to the incident.
Mayawati’s latest remarks therefore focused on two separate incidents — the alleged caste-related purification of the Haldwani stage after Kharge’s programme and the attack on Badal in Maharashtra — with the BSP chief demanding firm action from the authorities in both cases.
