Kharge loses cool in RS over Haldwani hawan; Nadda condemns ritual

NEW DELHI: Congress president and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday raised the alleged “suddhikaran” of a Haldwani ground after his rally. Kharge said a hawan was conducted at the Ram Lila Ground in Haldwani after he addressed a public meeting there, alleging that the ritual was carried out by BJP supporters to “purify” the venue. In Rajya Sabha, Kharge said, "I was in Haldwani where I made a public speech at Ramlila Maidan. Lakhs of people were there. At that time, I did not mention the name of any community or religion; I only reiterated the issues of the Govt. But after my speech, people of BJP performed a havan there to 'purify' that stage...Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP..."

Leader of the house and Union minister JP Nadda condemned the reported incident and said the BJP did not support such activities. He assured Kharge that the matter would be investigated. In Rajya Sabha, Nadda said, "What Kharge ji said is really sad - not just for Congress party but for all of us...BJP does not subscribe to such activities. Never. But we will investigate this. I assure you that whatever happened there will certainly be investigated. But I would like to make it clear that BJP does not subscribe to such activities. I condemn this. National president will look into this. It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt."

The controversy began after members of the Shri Ram Sena Dhar Marth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted a hawan at Haldwani's Ram Lila Ground on August 10, two days after Kharge's rally at the venue.

Members of the organisation said the ground had religious and cultural significance and objected to its use for political events. They also alleged that controversial slogans were raised during Kharge's August 8 address. Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal criticised the ritual and accused the BJP of being behind it, while also questioning the police response. BJP cabinet minister and state spokesperson Khajan Das denied any connection with the organisers and termed the allegations “baseless, false, and misleading.” Das instead criticised the slogans raised during the Congress rally, saying political sloganeering at the venue had hurt Sanatan sentiments. He accused the opposition of attempting to divert attention from the controversy by raising caste-related issues.