ITANAGAR, Sep 2: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday organised a protest march in Itanagar against the FIR registered against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning an alleged “purification” ritual at a venue in Uttarakhand where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a public meeting.
The protest march was taken out from Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan to V Mart, opposite the Civil Secretariat, with the participation of senior Congress leaders, office-bearers, frontal organisations, elected representatives, party workers and supporters.
Addressing the media during the protest, APCC vice-president Mina Toko, general secretary Dr Kipa Kaha, secretary and spokesperson Johny Yangfo, and general secretary-cum-spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham condemned the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and demanded its withdrawal.
The APCC alleged that the “purification” ritual at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following Kharge’s public meeting, amounted to caste-based humiliation and discrimination. The party also alleged that persons associated with the BJP-RSS were involved in the incident. However, the BJP and the organisers of the ritual have disputed the allegation of any caste motive or BJP connection.
According to the APCC, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the “Vijay Shankhnaad Rally” at Ramlila Maidan, Haldwani, on August 8 as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. On August 10, a “Shuddhikaran Havan” was reportedly conducted at the same venue by Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan, including at the stage used for the Congress programme.
Kharge subsequently raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, expressing his humiliation and seeking legal action. The APCC said Union Minister JP Nadda had stated that the BJP did not subscribe to such activities and assured that the matter would be investigated.
On August 29, Rahul Gandhi demanded an FIR against those responsible for the alleged ritual and sought action under relevant provisions of law, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. An FIR was subsequently registered against Gandhi on August 30 over his remarks concerning the incident.
The APCC demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Gandhi, asserting that speaking against caste discrimination and defending constitutional equality should not be treated as a criminal offence.
The party also demanded registration of an appropriate FIR against those responsible for the alleged “purification” ritual and a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation, irrespective of the political affiliation or position of those involved.
“Why was an FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi for questioning the alleged discriminatory act, while equal urgency has not been shown in investigating those who allegedly performed the purification ritual?” the APCC asked.
The party further urged the authorities to ensure that the law was applied equally and that state machinery was not used as an instrument of political vendetta against the Opposition.
Condemning caste discrimination, untouchability and social exclusion, the APCC said the Constitution guarantees equality before law, dignity and protection against discrimination.
The party asserted that the issue was larger than Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, describing the protest as a fight for constitutional dignity, equality before law, democracy and social justice.
“The Congress Party will not be intimidated or silenced,” the APCC said, reiterating its commitment to opposing casteism, untouchability, discrimination, injustice and political vendetta.
The party also called upon the BJP and RSS to clarify their position on the allegations and urged the Uttarakhand government to ensure an impartial investigation into the entire matter.