The Congress has announced a Dalit-Adivasi Self-Respect Meeting in New Delhi on September 29 to discuss an alleged “purification” ritual conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after a public meeting addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in August.
The meeting is being organised by the Congress SC/ST Parliamentarians Forum in coordination with the party’s Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe departments. According to the Congress, the event will also discuss other incidents involving SC and ST communities and consider measures aimed at preventing discrimination and social prejudice.
Congress Plans Meeting Over Haldwani Incident
Congress MP Mallu Ravi said the September 29 meeting would focus primarily on the alleged ritual following Kharge’s August 8 public meeting in Haldwani. The event is scheduled to take place at Mavalankar Hall, Constitution Club of India, from 2:30 p.m. onwards, according to the party’s announcement.
The Congress has described the incident as an issue concerning the dignity of SC and ST communities. Party leaders have also criticised the Uttarakhand government over the handling of the matter and called for action against those allegedly involved.
These statements represent the Congress’s position on the incident and its political response.
FIR Registered After Earlier Dispute
The controversy began after an alleged ritual was conducted at the Ramlila Maidan following Kharge’s August 8 meeting. Reports said a yajna and other activities were carried out at the venue on August 10 or 11.
An FIR was subsequently registered by Haldwani police against unknown persons under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said the case would be investigated and relevant evidence, including electronic material, examined.
The Congress had earlier demanded registration of an FIR and staged protests over the delay. Separately, a Zero FIR was also registered in Bengaluru following a complaint concerning Uttarakhand BJP leaders and others in connection with the controversy.
Uttarakhand Government Gives Its Position
The controversy has also drawn a response from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He questioned whether there was evidence showing that the ritual was directed against a particular person or caste and said the government would act if such evidence was presented.
The competing positions have kept the issue within a broader political debate over caste discrimination, the protection of SC/ST communities and the responsibilities of political and state institutions.
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Congress Says Meeting Will Address Wider SC/ST Issues
According to the Congress, the September 29 meeting will not be limited to the Haldwani incident. The party says representatives will also discuss alleged violations of laws protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and prepare a broader roadmap for addressing such issues.
The Haldwani case itself remains subject to investigation, while the political disagreement over the incident continues between the Congress and the Uttarakhand government.