The Congress is protesting the ‘cleansing’ of the stage after Kharge’s FIR speech against Rahul Gandhi

Congress activists stage a protest on Saturday (September 12) in front of the statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar at Jagat Circle in Kalaburagi. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Congress activists on Saturday (September 12) in Kalaburagi and Ballari protested the reported “cleansing” of a stage in Uttarakhand following a speech by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of the Opposition in the Sabha Rahul Gandhi incident over his remark about Lokhi.

Congress leaders described the announced purification ritual as a reflection of regressive and casteist thinking and accused the BJP-led Uttarakhand government of using investigative and legal mechanisms to target opposition leaders.

In Kalaburagi, District Congress Committee President Ashok Veeranayaka led a silent padayatra from the district Congress office to Jagat Circle and staged a demonstration in front of the Ambedkar statue. Party leaders and workers carried portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. BR Ambedkar.

Protesters condemned the reported purification ritual at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after Mr. Kharge’s August 8 speech. They also criticized the registration of FIR against Mr. Rahul Gandhi after he spoke out against the incident and demanded withdrawal of the case.

Apart from block presidents and other senior Congress leaders, district vice presidents Mahantesh Kavalagi, Mallappa M. Hosamani, Dinesh Doddamani, Moidin Patel Anabi, Veerasangappa Patil, Sharanu Shastri and Harish Banapur also participated in the protest.

In Ballari, the Ballari District Congress Committee staged a silent demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

KPCC district campaign committee chief Anand Kumar, Ballari district congress committee president Allam Prashanth and district publicity committee president GS Erana Gowda led the protest.

Speaking to the media, Congress officials claimed that the Haldwani incident reflected caste discrimination and accused the Uttarakhand government of targeting senior opposition leaders. They demanded action against those responsible for the purification ceremony and withdrawal of the FIR registered against Mr. Rahul Gandhi.

District Guarantee Implementation Committee Chairman Chidanandappa, senior leaders L. Marenna, Gujjala Gadilingappa, Rudrappa, Alivelu Suresh, Sanna Nagaraj, Nataraj, Sanna Honnurappa and Jyothi participated in the protest.

Published – 12 Sep 2026 20:14 IST