Itanagar, Sep 2 (PTI) The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday held a protest march here, seeking withdrawal of the FIR registered against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on an alleged caste-based ‘purification’ ritual at a venue in Uttarakhand.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) organised a protest march from Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here, with party leaders, office-bearers, elected representatives, workers and supporters taking part.
The protesters alleged that the FIR was an attempt to silence the opposition and accused the BJP-RSS of promoting casteism, untouchability and discrimination.
Addressing the media during the march, APCC vice president Mina Toko, general secretary Kipa Kaha, secretary and spokesperson Johny Yangfo, and general secretary Kon Jirjo Jotham criticised the registration of the FIR against Gandhi.
The Congress said the issue arose after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the ‘Vijay Shankhnaad Rally’ at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Nainital, on August 8 as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.
Two days later, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted a ‘Shuddhikaran Havan’ at the same venue, including on the stage used by Kharge, it said.
Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, saying the ritual had humiliated him and seeking legal action. Union Minister J P Nadda had said the BJP did not support such activities and assured that the matter would be investigated, according to the APCC.
On August 29, Gandhi sought an FIR against those responsible and demanded action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, describing the incident as an example of untouchability and discrimination.
An FIR was registered against him the following day over his remarks.
The Congress alleged that the ‘purification’ was linked to Kharge being a Dalit leader. The BJP and the organisers, however, have denied any caste motive or BJP connection to the ritual.
The APCC demanded withdrawal of the FIR against Gandhi and sought an impartial and time-bound investigation into the alleged purification ritual.
It also called for an end to caste discrimination, untouchability and social exclusion, asserting that the Constitution guarantees equality, dignity and protection against discrimination.
The party said the law should apply equally to everyone and alleged that the FIR should not be used to intimidate or silence the opposition.
“This is not merely a Congress-versus-BJP issue. This is a question of whether the Constitution will prevail over political power,” the Congress said.
The party asserted that it would continue its campaign against casteism, untouchability, discrimination and political vendetta, and expressed solidarity with Gandhi and Kharge. PTI UPL UPL RG
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