Rahul seeks FIR over 'purification' act

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order the filing of an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those who conducted a "purification act" at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there. He also sought an FIR against Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt, who 'justified 'the act.

Saying that Union minister JP Nadda's promise in the Rajya Sabha of action against those involved in the Haldwani incident remained unfulfilled, Gandhi indicated that the Congress would respond with a larger agitation if the demand was not met.

Terming the "purification" act nothing but the practice of untouchability, Gandhi said at a press conference: "This (purification) act violates the SC/ST Act. Performing a 'purification' ritual is a crime. Yet, no action has been taken ... The Prime Minister claims to belong to every caste and to be the Prime Minister of all of India. Yet, the chief of his (Uttarakhand) party states that the purification was justified."


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Gandhi, who recently held a dharna at a Delhi police station to get an alleged victim of pellet firing to file an FIR, added: "It is the duty of both the state government and the central government to ensure that Kharge ji receives justice in Uttarakhand...Now the ball is in their court. If they take the action that ought to be taken, very good. If they do not take action, then there will certainly be a reaction from us."

The Congress leader said he did not care about the silence of Modi or BSP leader Mayawati on the issue.