An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over remarks linked to the controversy surrounding a purification programme at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The case was registered at Haldwani Kotwali police station on the basis of a complaint filed by Amit Kumar, a resident of Ward No. 15 in Haldwani, who participated in the purification programme.
According to the complaint, Gandhi’s remarks concerning the incident insulted the Dalit community as well as those who took part in the programme.
The FIR, numbered 297/26, invokes Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(1)(q) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Complaint filed over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks
Amit Kumar and Vinod Kumar Arya had earlier submitted a complaint at Haldwani Kotwali police station concerning Gandhi’s remarks.
The complainants alleged that Gandhi’s comments about the alleged purification at Ramlila Ground hurt the sentiments of members of the Dalit community.
The case was subsequently registered under the sections mentioned in the FIR.
Controversy followed Kharge’s August 8 rally
The controversy began after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 8.
Following the event, BJP leaders and workers conducted a purification havan at the ground and reportedly sprinkled Gangajal across the premises.
BJP Uttarakhand president Mahendra Bhatt and other party leaders issued statements defending the purification programme.
The Congress objected to the move and linked the purification to Kharge’s identity as a Dalit. The party demanded action against BJP leaders over the incident.
Rahul Gandhi raised the issue
The issue subsequently featured in Rahul Gandhi’s statements.
Gandhi referred to the purification and linked the controversy to Dalit dignity, questioning the need for such a programme after Kharge’s rally.
Congress leaders have maintained that the alleged purification of the venue after Kharge’s event was an insult to Dalits.
With the FIR now registered against Gandhi, the controversy has moved into the legal domain.
What sections have been invoked?
The FIR invokes the following provisions:
BNS Section 196: This provision deals with acts that promote or attempt to promote enmity, hatred or ill-will between different groups on grounds including religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community. It also covers acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony and public tranquillity.
BNS Section 299: This provision deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of a class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
SC/ST Act Section 3(1)(q): This provision relates to giving false or fabricated information to a public servant with the intention of causing that public servant to use lawful powers to the injury or annoyance of a member of an SC/ST community.
Political dispute takes legal turn
The FIR has brought competing allegations from the BJP and Congress into a legal dispute.
The Congress has raised the alleged purification programme as an issue concerning Dalit dignity and discrimination, while the complainant in the FIR has alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were insulting to the Dalit community and participants in the purification programme.
The investigation will now examine the allegations contained in the complaint and the circumstances surrounding Gandhi’s remarks.
