SC/ST Act Invoked in Bhopal Controversy Over Ritual Purification Claims Post‑Kharge Rally

A complaint registered on August 30 by the Congress party’s Scheduled Caste department in Bhopal highlights a contentious episode from Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent Haldwani rally. The petition alleges that after the event, persons affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party arrived at the site and performed a Gangajal sprinkling ceremony, describing it as a "purification" of the area.

Congress leaders label the incident as an act of social exclusion and caste‑based discrimination, violating the principles of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The written grievance seeks an FIR, a comprehensive probe by Bhopal police, and prosecution under the anti‑atrocity law.

The party stresses that such symbolic cleansing of a political platform reinforces untouchability attitudes and must be dealt with firmly according to law.