Political fallout in Uttarakhand: Kharge rally, alleged purification and FIR debate

Uttarakhand’s political landscape was shaken after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally in Haldwani, where a dispute over a supposed “purification” of the stage emerged. The incident quickly became entangled with the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, prompting Congress MP Randip Surjewala to accuse the state BJP of a two‑faced approach.

Surjewala argued that the BJP’s handling of the purification controversy—while defending its senior leaders—contradicts its public commitments to Dalit welfare. He demanded answers from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, senior BJP figures such as B.L. Santosh, Union Minister Pahlaj Joshi, and the state party leadership on why they appeared to protect those linked to the alleged incident. The MP reiterated that constitutional safeguards against untouchability must be enforced without political interference.