{
    "url": "https://meritchronicle.com/pushkar-dhami-kharge-haldwani-shuddhikaran-controversy",
    "title": "Haldwani ‘Shuddhikaran’ Controversy: What Happened After Mallikarjun Kharge’s Rally and Why Pushkar Singh Dhami Is Facing Questions",
    "type": "article",
    "summary": "An article explaining haldwani ‘Shuddhikaran’ Controversy: What Happened After Mallikarjun Kharge’s Rally and Why Pushkar Singh Dhami Is Facing Questions. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on August 8, 2026. The political controversy in Uttarakhand over a shuddhikaran (purification) ritual at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan is no longer just a…",
    "direct_answer": "The Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy began after a havan was performed at Ramlila Maidan two days after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a Congress rally there. Congress called it an act of untouchability, while the organisers and Pushkar Singh Dhami said it was related to cleanliness and religious concerns, not Kharge's caste.",
    "target_question": "What happened in the Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy?",
    "key_takeaways": [
        "Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on August 8, 2026.",
        "A havan described as a shuddhikaran ritual was subsequently performed at the same venue.",
        "Congress leaders interpreted the ritual as an insult to Kharge and linked it to caste discrimination and untouchability.",
        "The organisers denied targeting Kharge because of his caste and said the ritual followed cleaning of the venue and concerns over religious slogans.",
        "Pushkar Singh Dhami rejected the caste-based interpretation and denied that the BJP was responsible for the ritual.",
        "Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR over the incident.",
        "An FIR was subsequently registered against Rahul Gandhi over his comments about the controversy.",
        "Whether the ritual was motivated by Kharge's caste remains a disputed question."
    ],
    "author": {
        "name": "admin",
        "job_title": "Editor in chief",
        "url": "https://meritchronicle.com/author/admin"
    },
    "published_at": "2026-09-01T00:18:00+05:30",
    "updated_at": "2026-09-10T12:11:05+05:30",
    "freshness_note": "First published 1 September 2026.",
    "category": "Analysis",
    "entities": [
        "pushkar singh dhami",
        "BJP",
        "Kharge",
        "Haldwani",
        "FIR",
        "Rahul Gandhi",
        "Congress",
        "Dalit"
    ],
    "key_facts": [
        {
            "claim": "Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on August 8, 2026",
            "value": "2026",
            "as_of": "2026-09"
        },
        {
            "claim": "Two days later, on August 10, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas conducted a havan at the same…",
            "value": "10",
            "as_of": "2026-09"
        },
        {
            "claim": "On August 29, Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR against those responsible for what he described as a purification…",
            "value": "29",
            "as_of": "2026-09"
        },
        {
            "claim": "On August 30, an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi at Haldwani Kotwali following a complaint by Amit…",
            "value": "30",
            "as_of": "2026-09"
        },
        {
            "claim": "According to reports, the FIR includes Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section…",
            "value": "196",
            "as_of": "2026-09"
        }
    ],
    "faq": [
        {
            "question": "What is the Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy?",
            "answer": "The Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy concerns a havan performed at Ramlila Maidan after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there. Congress leaders described the act as caste discrimination, while the organisers and Pushkar Singh Dhami said it was related to cleaning the venue and religious concerns, not Kharge’s caste."
        },
        {
            "question": "What did Pushkar Singh Dhami say about Mallikarjun Kharge and the Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy?",
            "answer": "Pushkar Singh Dhami rejected the allegation that the shuddhikaran was performed because Mallikarjun Kharge is a Dalit. Dhami said those who conducted the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers and argued that the ritual was connected to the condition of the venue and concerns over religious slogans."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the Pushkar Dhami Kharge controversy?",
            "answer": "The Pushkar Dhami Kharge controversy refers to the political dispute over a shuddhikaran ritual performed at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after a rally addressed by Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress leaders linked the incident to caste discrimination, while Dhami and the organisers rejected that interpretation."
        },
        {
            "question": "What did Rahul Gandhi say about the Haldwani purification controversy?",
            "answer": "Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR against those responsible for the Haldwani purification ritual. He described the incident as an issue of untouchability and caste discrimination and called for action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act."
        },
        {
            "question": "Why was Haldwani Ramlila Maidan purified after Kharge’s rally?",
            "answer": "The organisers said the venue was cleaned after the rally and that a havan was subsequently performed to restore its sanctity. They also cited objections to religious slogans at the event. Congress leaders, however, interpreted the timing of the ritual differently and linked it to Kharge’s caste."
        },
        {
            "question": "Was the BJP involved in the Haldwani shuddhikaran ceremony?",
            "answer": "The BJP has denied involvement in the Haldwani shuddhikaran ceremony. Congress leaders have alleged a connection between the organisation that conducted the ritual and the BJP, but that allegation should not be presented as an established fact. Pushkar Singh Dhami has also said that those who performed the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers."
        },
        {
            "question": "What did Mallikarjun Kharge say about the Haldwani purification incident?",
            "answer": "Mallikarjun Kharge raised the incident in the Rajya Sabha and said that the purification of the venue after his rally was an insult connected with his identity as a Dalit. He described the incident in the context of untouchability and sought legal action."
        },
        {
            "question": "Why was an FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi over the Haldwani controversy?",
            "answer": "An FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi following a complaint alleging that his comments about the Haldwani incident gave the event a caste angle. The reported FIR includes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act."
        },
        {
            "question": "Is the Haldwani shuddhikaran incident related to Kharge’s caste?",
            "answer": "Whether the ritual was motivated by Kharge’s caste is a disputed question. Congress leaders say the incident amounted to caste discrimination, while the organisers and Pushkar Singh Dhami deny this and say the ritual was related to cleaning the venue and religious concerns."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the latest update on the Pushkar Dhami, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi controversy?",
            "answer": "The controversy has moved beyond political statements after an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi over his comments about the Haldwani incident. Pushkar Singh Dhami continues to reject the caste-based interpretation, while Congress leaders have maintained their allegations regarding the purification ritual."
        }
    ],
    "word_count": 2839,
    "reading_minutes": 13,
    "markdown_url": "https://meritchronicle.com/pushkar-dhami-kharge-haldwani-shuddhikaran-controversy?format=md",
    "license": "Quotation permitted with attribution and link.",
    "content": "## **The Haldwani purification controversy has grown from a local incident into a political fight involving Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Pushkar Singh Dhami and the BJP. Here is what happened, what both sides are saying, and what the FIR against Rahul Gandhi means.**\nThe political controversy in Uttarakhand over a *shuddhikaran* (purification) ritual at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan is no longer just a dispute between the Congress and the BJP.\n\nIt has now moved to Parliament, triggered statements from senior national leaders, led to demands for an FIR, and resulted in an FIR being registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.\n\nAt the centre of the controversy is a simple question:\n\n**Why was a havan performed at the Haldwani venue two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there?**\n\nThe answer depends on whom you ask.\n\nCongress leaders say the incident was an insult to Kharge, who is a Dalit leader, and have described it as a form of untouchability.\n\nThe organisation that conducted the ritual says that is not what happened. Its members say the venue was cleaned because it had been left dirty after the rally, and that the havan was performed because of what they described as objectionable religious slogans at the event.\n\nUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has backed this explanation and rejected the caste angle.\n\nThe controversy has now taken another turn after **an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi** over his comments about the incident. [Read the latest report on the FIR against Rahul Gandhi](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\nSo, what actually happened?\n\n## What happened at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan?\nCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on **August 8, 2026**.\n\nTwo days later, on August 10, members of **Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas** conducted a havan at the same venue as part of what they described as *shuddhikaran*. Reports described the ritual as including prayers, mantras, a yajna and the sprinkling of water around the venue. [Report on the Haldwani shuddhikaran ritual](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/filth-on-stage-led-to-havan-organisers-reject-caste-angle-in-kharge-venue-purification-row/articleshow/133639983.cms)\n\nThe timing immediately became controversial.\n\nCongress leaders argued that conducting a purification ritual after Kharge's rally suggested that the venue had to be purified because Kharge had been there.\n\nThat interpretation became particularly sensitive because Kharge is a Dalit.\n\nThe Congress subsequently accused people associated with the BJP of being behind the act. The BJP denied having any connection with the ritual. [Read the report on the BJP-Congress dispute](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-bjp-congress-kharge-rally-2982634-2026-08-29)\n\nThe organisation that conducted the havan has also denied that it was directed at Kharge because of his caste.\n\nAnd that difference in interpretation is at the heart of the entire controversy.\n\n## Why did the Congress call it an act of untouchability?\nMallikarjun Kharge himself raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha.\n\nKharge said that he had spoken about public issues at the Haldwani rally and had not raised caste or religion in his speech.\n\nHe said that after his speech, people performed a havan to purify the stage.\n\nFor Kharge, the incident was not simply about cleaning a public ground.\n\nHe interpreted the act as an insult connected to his identity as a Dalit and said that it made him feel the sting of untouchability. He demanded legal action against those responsible. [Read the report on Kharge raising the issue](https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-demands-fir-pm-modi-haldwani-shuddhikaran-mallikarjun-kharge-rally-10854929/)\n\nThis is important because it explains why an otherwise local dispute became a national political issue.\n\nThe Congress was not objecting merely to a religious ritual.\n\nIts argument was that **the meaning of the ritual changed because of what happened immediately before it and because of the identity of the person who had addressed the gathering.**\n\nRahul Gandhi later took the argument further.\n\n## What did Rahul Gandhi say about the Haldwani purification controversy?\nOn August 29, Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR against those responsible for what he described as a purification act at the Haldwani venue.\n\n![Rahul gandhi demanded an fir over the haldwani shuddhikaran controversy](https://meritchronicle.com/uploads/2026/09/rahul-gandhi-demanded-an-fir-over-the-haldwani-shuddhikaran-controversy-1698e1.webp)Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR over the Haldwani shuddhikaran controversy.He linked the incident to untouchability and called for action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He also criticised the BJP and RSS over what he described as discrimination against Kharge. [Read the report on Rahul Gandhi's demand for an FIR](https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-demands-fir-pm-modi-haldwani-shuddhikaran-mallikarjun-kharge-rally-10854929/)\n\nThe BJP rejected Rahul Gandhi's allegations.\n\nIt accused Congress leaders of giving a caste angle to an incident that, according to the BJP and the organisers, was about cleaning and religious objections surrounding the rally.\n\nThat disagreement has become one of the most important parts of the controversy.\n\n## What is Pushkar Singh Dhami's position?\nThis is where the controversy directly involves Uttarakhand Chief Minister **Pushkar Singh Dhami**.\n\nDhami rejected the allegation that the purification was carried out because Mallikarjun Kharge is a Dalit.\n\n![Uttarakhand chief minister pushkar singh dhami rejected the caste based interpre](https://meritchronicle.com/uploads/2026/09/uttarakhand-chief-minister-pushkar-singh-dhami-rejected-the-caste-based-interpre-263b8f.webp)Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami rejected the caste-based interpretation of the Haldwani controversy.His argument was straightforward: the people who performed the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers.\n\nDhami also said that the incident had nothing to do with Kharge's caste.\n\nAccording to Dhami's explanation, religious organisations objected to what they considered provocative religious slogans at the rally and to the condition in which the venue was left after the programme. He said the Congress was unnecessarily giving the incident a caste angle. [Read Pushkar Singh Dhami's response to Rahul Gandhi](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/religious-slogans-were-raised-people-responded-dhami-hits-back-at-rahul-over-kharge-purification-row/articleshow/133610450.cms)\n\nDhami also argued that Uttarakhand's culture does not support caste discrimination and said that the state has a tradition of accepting people from different backgrounds.\n\nHis response was therefore not an apology for the havan.\n\nInstead, **Dhami challenged the Congress's interpretation of why it happened.**\n\nThat distinction is important.\n\n## What are the organisers saying?\nThe strongest defence of the purification ritual has come from the organisation that conducted it.\n\nGirish Chandra Pandey, president of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, said the ritual was not aimed at Kharge personally or at any particular caste.\n\nAccording to the organisers, the venue was left dirty after the rally.\n\nThey claimed that garbage was found at the site and alleged that bottles and other waste were left behind the stage. They also said that they objected to religious slogans they considered inappropriate.\n\nTheir explanation was that the venue was first cleaned and then a yajna was performed to restore its sanctity. [Read the organisers' explanation of the havan](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/filth-on-stage-led-to-havan-organisers-reject-caste-angle-in-kharge-venue-purification-row/articleshow/133639983.cms)\n\nTwo members associated with the organisation, Vinod Arya and Ankit Pal, also said they belong to the Dalit community and argued that their participation in the ritual showed that it was not anti-Dalit. [Read the detailed report on the organisers' version](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/filth-on-stage-led-to-havan-organisers-reject-caste-angle-in-kharge-venue-purification-row/articleshow/133639983.cms)\n\nThese are **the organisers' claims**, however, and should be treated as such.\n\nThey establish what the organisers say their intention was. They do not, by themselves, settle the political question of how the act should be interpreted.\n\n## Was the BJP involved in the purification ritual?\nThis is one of the most searched questions surrounding the controversy.\n\n**There is a dispute over this.**\n\nCongress leaders have alleged that the organisation involved was connected with the BJP.\n\nThe BJP has denied involvement.\n\nUttarakhand BJP leaders have also distanced the party from the ritual. Indian Express reported that BJP leader and Uttarakhand minister Khajan Das said the party had no connection with the purification programme or the organisation behind it. [Read the Indian Express report on the BJP's position](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\nDhami has similarly said that those who conducted the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers. [Read Dhami's statement](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/religious-slogans-were-raised-people-responded-dhami-hits-back-at-rahul-over-kharge-purification-row/articleshow/133610450.cms)\n\nTherefore, it would be inaccurate to state as a fact that **the BJP conducted the purification ceremony**.\n\nThe more accurate description is:\n\n> **Congress leaders have alleged a BJP connection, while the BJP and Dhami have denied that the party was involved.**\n\nThat distinction matters, particularly when reporting a politically sensitive story.\n\n## Why did the controversy become a caste issue?\nThe answer lies in the timing and symbolism.\n\nKharge is a prominent Dalit political leader.\n\nHe addressed a political rally.\n\nTwo days later, a religious purification ritual was conducted at the same venue.\n\nCongress leaders interpreted that sequence as meaning the place needed to be purified after Kharge's presence.\n\nThe organisers reject that interpretation and say the ritual was related to cleanliness and the nature of the political event.\n\nSo there are essentially **two competing narratives**.\n\n### Congress narrative\nThe purification happened after Kharge's visit and was therefore an insult directed at him. Because Kharge is a Dalit, Congress leaders say the incident reflects caste discrimination and untouchability.\n\n### BJP and organisers' narrative\nThe ritual had nothing to do with Kharge's caste. The venue was cleaned because of garbage and allegedly objectionable slogans, after which a religious ceremony was conducted. They say Congress is using the incident to create a caste controversy.\n\nAt present, these competing claims should not be presented as established facts beyond the evidence available.\n\n## What did J.P. Nadda say?\nThe controversy also reached Parliament.\n\nWhen Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, BJP president J.P. Nadda said the BJP did not support such activities and indicated that the matter should be investigated.\n\nThat response was significant because the BJP did not endorse the purification ritual itself, even while rejecting Kharge's allegation that BJP members were responsible for it. [Read the report on the parliamentary response](https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-demands-fir-pm-modi-haldwani-shuddhikaran-mallikarjun-kharge-rally-10854929/)\n\nThis created a distinction between two questions:\n\n**Was the ritual appropriate?**\n\nand\n\n**Was the BJP responsible for it?**\n\nThe BJP's position has been that the party did not conduct it and does not support such an act, while also rejecting the Congress's broader political interpretation.\n\n## The controversy takes another turn: FIR against Rahul Gandhi\nThe latest development has made the Haldwani controversy even more politically charged.\n\nOn August 30, an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi at Haldwani Kotwali following a complaint by Amit Kumar, who is reported to be a member of the Scheduled Caste community and associated with Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas.\n\n![The haldwani controversy took a legal turn after an fir was registered against r](https://meritchronicle.com/uploads/2026/09/the-haldwani-controversy-took-a-legal-turn-after-an-fir-was-registered-against-r-3bc3a8.webp)The Haldwani controversy took a legal turn after an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi.According to reports, the FIR includes Sections **196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita** and Section **3(1)(q) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989**. [Read the detailed report on the FIR against Rahul Gandhi](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\nThe complaint alleges that Rahul Gandhi gave a caste angle to what the complainant described as cleaning and a religious ritual at the Ramlila Maidan.\n\nIn other words, the controversy has now developed into an unusual legal situation:\n\n**Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR over the alleged purification of the venue, and an FIR was subsequently registered against Rahul Gandhi over his comments about that same incident.** [Read the latest FIR report](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rahul-gandhi-fir-haldwani-ritual-remarks-kharge-purification-row-haldwani-programme-ptag-2983280-2026-08-31)\n\nThat development is likely to keep the issue in the news.\n\n## Why is Pushkar Singh Dhami at the centre of the controversy?\nDhami did not conduct the ritual, and there is no evidence in the reporting reviewed here that he ordered it.\n\nHis role in the controversy is political.\n\nAs Uttarakhand Chief Minister, he has publicly rejected the Congress's interpretation of the incident and defended the explanation given by the organisers.\n\nHis statement also directly challenged Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.\n\nDhami accused the Congress of trying to give the incident a caste angle and described the party as *mudda-vihin* — without substantive issues — in his response. [Read the Indian Express report on Dhami's response](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\nThis has turned **\"Pushkar Dhami Kharge\"** and **\"Dhami Rahul Gandhi\"** into natural search combinations because Dhami's response is now part of the controversy itself.\n\n## What is actually established and what remains disputed?\nThis is perhaps the most important part of the story.\n\n### Established by multiple reports\n- Mallikarjun Kharge held a Congress rally at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan on August 8, 2026.\n\n- A purification-related havan was conducted at the venue on August 10/11.\n\n- The organisation involved was Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas.\n\n- Kharge raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha.\n\n- Kharge said he regarded the act as an insult connected with untouchability.\n\n- BJP leaders denied that the BJP was responsible for the ritual.\n\n- Pushkar Singh Dhami rejected the caste-based interpretation.\n\n- Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR.\n\n- An FIR was subsequently registered against Rahul Gandhi over his comments. [Read the latest detailed report on the controversy](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\n### Still disputed\n- Whether the ritual was actually motivated by Kharge's caste.\n\n- Whether the people who conducted it had any organisational connection with the BJP.\n\n- The extent and nature of the alleged mess at the venue.\n\n- Whether the slogans at the Congress rally were the reason for the ritual.\n\n- Whether the ritual should be understood primarily as a religious act, a cleanliness exercise, a political protest, or an act of caste discrimination.\n\nThose questions should not be presented as settled facts.\n\n## Why this controversy matters beyond Haldwani\nThe Haldwani incident has become bigger than one rally ground.\n\nIt touches three politically sensitive subjects at the same time:\n\n**caste, religion and politics.**\n\nFor Congress, the issue raises questions about dignity, untouchability and the treatment of Dalits.\n\nFor the BJP and Dhami, the issue has become a question of whether Congress is deliberately giving a caste angle to an incident that they say was about cleanliness and religious sentiments.\n\nFor Uttarakhand, there is another dimension.\n\nThe incident has happened in a state where political debates around religion, culture, identity and public spaces already carry considerable weight.\n\nAnd with Uttarakhand heading towards another Assembly election cycle, neither major political party is likely to ignore an issue that can generate such strong reactions. [Read the latest political developments around the controversy](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/purification-row-cong-ups-ante-seeks-fir-against-ritual-performers-after-raga-case/amp_articleshow/133660196.cms)\n\n## Pushkar Dhami Kharge controversy: What happens next?\nThe immediate focus is likely to remain on the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and on the competing claims about what happened at the Haldwani venue.\n\nThe investigation will be important because it could provide more clarity about the allegations and the people involved.\n\nFor now, however, the political battle is already well underway.\n\nCongress leaders are demanding action against those responsible for the purification ritual.\n\nThe BJP and Dhami are rejecting the caste-based interpretation and accusing Congress of politicising the incident.\n\nAnd the organisation that conducted the havan insists that it was responding to the condition of the venue and the nature of the rally, not to Kharge's caste.\n\nThe central question remains unanswered:\n\n**Was the Haldwani shuddhikaran simply a religious and cleanliness-related act, as its organisers claim, or was it intended as a symbolic act against Mallikarjun Kharge because he is a Dalit?**\n\nThe available reporting establishes that the ritual happened.\n\nIt establishes that Kharge took offence and raised the matter publicly.\n\nIt establishes that Congress and BJP have sharply different accounts of its meaning.\n\nBut **the evidence currently available does not justify presenting either side's interpretation of the motive as an independently established fact.**\n\nThat is why the investigation and further evidence matter.\n\n## FAQ: Haldwani Shuddhikaran Controversy\n\n### What is the Haldwani purification controversy?\nIt is a political controversy over a havan described as *shuddhikaran* that was conducted at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there on August 8, 2026. Congress leaders say the act was discriminatory, while the organisers and BJP leaders deny that it was connected to Kharge's caste. [Read the latest overview of the Haldwani controversy](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/from-shuddhikaran-to-fir-why-haldwani-has-become-a-political-flashpoint-14018796.html)\n\n### Why was Haldwani Ramlila Maidan purified after Kharge's rally?\nThe organisers say the venue was cleaned because garbage was allegedly left after the rally and that the havan was performed to restore the sanctity of the place. Congress leaders believe the ritual was directed at Kharge and amounted to an act of untouchability. [Read the organisers' explanation](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/filth-on-stage-led-to-havan-organisers-reject-caste-angle-in-kharge-venue-purification-row/articleshow/133639983.cms)\n\n### What did Pushkar Singh Dhami say about the Kharge purification controversy?\nPushkar Singh Dhami rejected the caste-based explanation. He said the people who performed the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers and argued that the ritual was connected to the condition of the venue and objections to religious slogans. [Read Pushkar Singh Dhami's statement](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/religious-slogans-were-raised-people-responded-dhami-hits-back-at-rahul-over-kharge-purification-row/articleshow/133610450.cms)\n\n### Was the BJP responsible for the Haldwani purification ceremony?\nThe BJP has denied involvement. Congress leaders have alleged a connection between the organisation that conducted the ritual and the BJP, but that allegation should not be treated as an established fact. Dhami has also said those who conducted the havan were not BJP workers or office-bearers. [Read the report on BJP's position](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-bjp-congress-kharge-rally-2982634-2026-08-29)\n\n### What did Mallikarjun Kharge say about the incident?\nKharge said the purification of the venue after his rally made him feel humiliated and reminded him of untouchability. He raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and sought legal action. [Read the report on Kharge's statement](https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-demands-fir-pm-modi-haldwani-shuddhikaran-mallikarjun-kharge-rally-10854929/)\n\n### What did Rahul Gandhi say about the Haldwani incident?\nRahul Gandhi called for an FIR over the purification ritual and linked it to untouchability and discrimination against Kharge. He also sought action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. [Read the report on Rahul Gandhi's FIR demand](https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rahul-gandhi-demands-fir-pm-modi-haldwani-shuddhikaran-mallikarjun-kharge-rally-10854929/)\n\n### Why was an FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi?\nAn FIR was registered after a complaint alleging that Gandhi wrongly described the cleaning and havan at the Haldwani venue as an act of untouchability and gave the incident a caste angle. The reported FIR includes provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. [Read the FIR report](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mallikarjun-kharge-uttarakhand-haldwani-purification-row-rahul-gandhi-fir-10856178/)\n\n### Is the Haldwani controversy related to caste?\nThat is one of the central disputed questions. Congress says the ritual was an act of caste discrimination against Kharge. The organisers and Pushkar Singh Dhami deny that interpretation and say the ritual had nothing to do with caste. [Read the report on both sides of the controversy](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/filth-on-stage-led-to-havan-organisers-reject-caste-angle-in-kharge-venue-purification-row/articleshow/133639983.cms)"
}