“It’s been almost 80 years since independence and even today, if a Dalit is being killed for touching a water tumbler or touching a statue in a temple, for taking out a wedding procession, even our President Droupadi Murmu is being prevented from entering a temple premises because she is a Dalit or Adivasi and even she is not immune to caste discrimination,” he said.
Gautam also referred to former President Ram Nath Kovind, saying, “Even Ram Nath Kovind, the former President, was not allowed to enter a Pushkar temple.”
His remarks came while the Congress was highlighting what it described as continuing instances of caste discrimination against Dalits and Adivasis.
BJP denies involvement
The BJP has denied any involvement in the reported ritual and said the ceremony was a customary religious practice that was not connected to Kharge’s visit.
Union minister and BJP president J P Nadda had earlier described the incident as unfortunate and said the party did not support such an act. He also assured the Rajya Sabha that the matter would be investigated.
Kharge, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, had raised the issue in Parliament and questioned the need for a purification ceremony after his speech at the Haldwani venue.
The controversy has since escalated, with the Congress demanding action and a probe into the incident.
A Congress delegation also met Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) on 24 August, seeking a fair investigation and alleging that no concrete action had been taken despite Nadda’s assurance.
The Congress has sought action against those involved and argued that the reported ritual raises questions about caste discrimination and the protection of constitutional values.
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