Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) after Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha Police registered a Zero FIR against Uttarakhand BJP members and others over the controversial Haldwani ‘purification’ row.
The Zero FIR relates to an alleged purification ritual at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally there. The Bengaluru police registered the case and are forwarding it to the concerned authorities in Uttarakhand for further investigation.
Reacting to the police action, Priyank Kharge said the incident in Uttarakhand was against the Constitution and questioned why the state government had not acted earlier.“What has happened in Uttarakhand is against Constitution. When somebody has come and given complaint, it is a duty to file an FIR. This should have been done by Govt of Uttarakhand. Delhi Govt should have taken cognisance of it. The Home Minister should have spoken about it. Unfortunately, they can’t do anything because that is the RSS mindset and going against them is not good for them.”
Kharge’s remarks come amid growing political tensions over the Haldwani incident. Congress has accused the BJP of failing to take timely action, while the controversy has also triggered demands for an impartial investigation.
‘Real Dummy Is the BJP’: Kharge Hits Back at R Ashoka
Kharge also hit back at Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka after the BJP leader described Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as a “dummy CM”.
Rejecting the remark, Kharge said Shivakumar was the elected Chief Minister of Karnataka and turned the attack back on the BJP and RSS.“He is the CM of Karnataka. Real dummy is the BJP, controlled by the RSS…Take RSS out of the equation, BJP is worse than a regional party. The real dummy is the BJP. They can’t do anything without their political mentors, their godfathers in RSS.”
Ashoka had recently intensified his criticism of Shivakumar, calling him a “dummy” and “remote-controlled” Chief Minister, while alleging that the Karnataka government was being controlled from Delhi.
Kharge further challenged the BJP to publicly take a position on the Haldwani incident, education reforms and the ongoing KPSC controversy. “I challenge them, let them tell what happened in Uttarakhand is wrong, that education reforms which the CJP is asking is wrong, let them speak on KPSC issue. They can’t, they won’t because they only have to say what RSS writes and gives to them.”
The exchange adds another sharp chapter to the ongoing political confrontation between Kharge and Ashoka, with the RSS emerging as a central point of their criticism and counter-attacks.
The Haldwani controversy itself has continued to escalate, with Congress planning further protests and seeking action over the alleged purification ritual.
