On the final day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange between the treasury and opposition benches. The confrontation was sparked by a significant allegation made by Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition and Congress President. Kharge claimed that a stage he had used for a public address in Uttarakhand was later subjected to a purification ritual by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This statement led to a major uproar in the House, prompting a direct response from the Leader of the House and BJP President, JP Nadda.
The Allegation by Mallikarjun Kharge
Mallikarjun Kharge detailed the incident, stating that it occurred in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, while he had addressed a massive public gathering at the Ramlila Maidan, where lakhs of people were in attendance. Kharge emphasized that during his speech, he maintained a focus on government-related issues and didn't mention any specific community or religion. However, he alleged that following his departure, BJP members performed a Havan to purify the stage, while kharge questioned whether such actions have a place in a democracy and raised concerns about the protection of the Constitution. He asked how the Constitution is being protected if such incidents occur against the Leader of the Opposition.
Kharge on Identity and Victimhood
During his address in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge clarified his stance on his personal identity. He stated that he has never considered himself a victim and has never sought sympathy in the name of being a Dalit. He emphasized that he doesn't wish to turn this incident into a political issue but felt it was necessary to bring it to the attention of the House as a matter of democratic principle. Kharge reiterated that his speech in Haldwani was purely political and administrative in nature, making the subsequent purification ritual even more questionable in his view.
JP Nadda Response and Condemnation
Responding to the allegations, JP Nadda, the Leader of the House, stated that it's incorrect for Kharge to claim that the BJP engages in such activities. Nadda strongly condemned the act described by Kharge, stating that the BJP doesn't support or endorse such behavior. He termed the matter as serious and assured the House that the allegations would be investigated. Nadda further promised that if such an incident is found to have occurred, strict action will be taken against those responsible. He maintained that the party stands against such practices and will look into the facts of the case in Haldwani.
Tension on the Last Day of the Session
The clash between Kharge and Nadda added to the tension of the final day of the Monsoon Session. The Rajya Sabha saw both sides engaging in a verbal spat over the incident. While the opposition supported Kharge's demand for accountability, the treasury benches, led by Nadda, insisted that the party's official stance is against such rituals, while the incident at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani has now become a focal point of political discussion, with the government promising a thorough probe into the claims made by the Leader of the Opposition.