Uttarakhand’s Haldwani has witnessed a fresh development in the controversy surrounding the alleged “purification” ritual at the Ramlila Maidan following Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally there last month.
On September 8, Nainital Police registered an FIR against unknown persons at Haldwani Kotwali based on a complaint filed by Anju, a local social activist and lawyer. Police said they had received around 80 complaints and petitions from across Uttarakhand, including 19 from Nainital district, regarding the incident.
The development came amid growing political pressure from the Congress, including protests in Uttarakhand and a move by Congress MPs from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities to approach the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi.
What is the Haldwani ‘Purification’ Controversy?
The controversy began after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a Congress public rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8, 2026.
Two days later, on August 10, members associated with Shri Ram Sena reportedly conducted a shuddhikaran or purification ritual at the venue, involving a havan and the sprinkling of Gangajal.
The incident quickly became politically contentious.
Congress leaders alleged that the ritual amounted to an insult to Kharge, who is a Dalit leader, and raised concerns about caste discrimination and untouchability.
Those associated with the ritual, however, have maintained that their objection was related to the use of the Ramlila Maidan for political activity and the alleged slogans raised during the Congress event. They have denied that the ritual was conducted because of Kharge's caste.
FIR Registered in Haldwani
According to police, the FIR was registered following a formal complaint submitted by Anju, a Haldwani-based lawyer and social activist.
Nainital SSP Manjunath TC said police had received numerous complaints and applications from political parties, organisations and individuals regarding the events at the Ramlila Maidan.
After examining the complaints, police found that Anju had been the first person to submit a formal written complaint at Haldwani Kotwali. She also provided video material related to the alleged incident.
The case has been registered against unknown persons.
Police said the investigation has been assigned to SP Crime Jagdish Chandra.
Sections invoked
Reports indicate that the Haldwani FIR includes:
- Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 299 of the BNS
- Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The allegations involve issues of caste-based discrimination, social humiliation and conduct allegedly directed against a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste.
Importantly, the FIR is against unknown persons, meaning the registration of the case does not itself establish the guilt of any particular individual. The allegations will have to be examined during the investigation.
Around 80 Complaints Received by Police
The scale of the complaints appears to have added pressure on the Uttarakhand police.
According to SSP Manjunath TC, approximately 80 complaints and petitions were received from different parts of the state.
Of these, 19 were from Nainital district, where Haldwani is located.
Police said they had been conducting a legal review of the complaints before registering the FIR.
The investigation will now focus on the available evidence, including videos and other electronic material related to the event.
Congress MPs Reach Parliament Street Police Station
The controversy also moved to Delhi on Tuesday.
A group of Congress MPs belonging to SC/ST communities reached the Parliament Street Police Station seeking registration of a Zero FIR and legal action over the alleged incident.
Congress MP Mallu Ravi, representing Nagarkurnool in Telangana, submitted a written complaint to the Station House Officer. Reports said around 20 SC/ST Congress MPs participated in the move.
The complaint alleged that the August 10 ceremony at the Haldwani venue involved a yajna and sprinkling of Gangajal and sought action under the SC/ST Act.
The Delhi action came even as Uttarakhand Police separately registered its own FIR in Haldwani on Tuesday.
Why Congress Leaders Say the Issue Is Serious
Congress leaders have argued that the incident goes beyond a dispute over the use of a public venue.
They have framed the alleged purification ritual as a question of caste dignity, equality and constitutional rights.
Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier raised the issue in Parliament, saying the incident had caused him personal pain and reminded him of the historical experience of untouchability. He also questioned why a purification ceremony was necessary after his public meeting.
Congress has repeatedly demanded legal action against those responsible.
The party's campaign intensified after Kharge wrote to Union Minister J.P. Nadda earlier this month questioning why an FIR had not been registered despite an assurance in the Rajya Sabha that the matter would be examined.
What Did the BJP Say?
The BJP has rejected the Congress's interpretation of the incident.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the government had already made clear that no purification ritual was conducted on the basis of anyone's caste.
Dhami said that Shri Ram Sena was an independent organisation and argued that if evidence showed that an objectionable act had occurred, strict action should be taken.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda had earlier expressed regret over the controversy in Parliament and said the BJP did not support such activity. He also assured that the matter would be examined.
The BJP's position has therefore been that the organisation involved was not acting on behalf of the party, while Congress has continued to demand accountability.
Shri Ram Sena’s Position
Members associated with the Shri Ram Sena have defended the ritual on different grounds.
They have said that the Ramlila Maidan has religious and cultural significance and should not be used for political programmes.
They also alleged that objectionable slogans were raised during the Congress rally and said their action was connected to the use of the venue rather than Kharge's caste.
The allegations and counter-allegations are now part of the wider police investigation.
The Controversy Has Already Triggered Multiple FIRs
The Haldwani dispute has expanded beyond the original incident.
Before the September 8 FIR in Haldwani, a separate FIR had been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand following his comments about the alleged purification ceremony.
A Zero FIR was also registered in Bengaluru against Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt and others in connection with the alleged purification ritual.
This means the controversy has now produced legal proceedings involving people on both sides of the political dispute.
Why the Issue Has Become Politically Sensitive
The controversy comes at a particularly important time for Uttarakhand, which is heading towards its next Assembly election.
The Congress has used the incident to attack the BJP-led state government over issues of caste discrimination and social justice.
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused Congress of attempting to create a political narrative around an event involving an independent organisation.
With both parties preparing for the electoral battle, the dispute has acquired significance well beyond the original ceremony.
Timeline: How the Haldwani Row Unfolded
📅 August 8, 2026
Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan, Haldwani.
📅 August 10, 2026
A group associated with Shri Ram Sena conducts a reported havan/shuddhikaran ritual at the venue.
📅 August 13, 2026
Kharge raises the issue in the Rajya Sabha. J.P. Nadda expresses regret and says the matter will be investigated.
📅 August 29–31
Rahul Gandhi publicly raises the issue and calls for action; an FIR is subsequently registered against him in Haldwani over his remarks.
📅 September 4–5
A Zero FIR is registered in Bengaluru against Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt and others in connection with the controversy.
📅 September 7
Congress workers protest in Dehradun demanding action over the alleged purification ritual.
📅 September 8
Nainital Police register an FIR against unknown persons in Haldwani. Congress SC/ST MPs also approach Delhi Police seeking action.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will now be on the police investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine:
- Videos of the August 10 event
- Statements of people present at the venue
- Complaints and petitions submitted to police
- Organisers and participants of the ceremony
- Statements made publicly by political leaders
- CCTV and other electronic evidence, where available
The Uttarakhand government has also told the High Court that relevant CCTV footage and electronic evidence have been preserved, while the court is monitoring developments in the matter.
The crucial question will be whether investigators find evidence supporting the allegations of caste-based discrimination or other offences invoked in the FIR.
A Larger Debate Over Caste, Religion and Politics
The Haldwani controversy has opened a difficult public debate.
At its centre are competing claims about religious practice, political speech, caste identity and constitutional equality.
For Congress, the alleged purification ritual represents a deeply troubling reminder of caste discrimination.
For those defending the ceremony, the issue is being presented as one concerning the religious and cultural character of the Ramlila Maidan and objections to political use of the venue.
The investigation will now have to establish the facts independently of the competing political narratives.
Bottom Line
The registration of an FIR in Haldwani marks a significant turn in the Mallikarjun Kharge ‘purification’ row.
After weeks of political exchanges, protests and legal complaints, Uttarakhand Police have formally begun investigating the allegations against unknown persons.
At the same time, Congress SC/ST MPs have taken the issue to Delhi, seeking further legal action.
With multiple FIRs and political parties continuing to trade allegations, the controversy is likely to remain in the spotlight as Uttarakhand moves closer to its next Assembly election.
For now, the central issue is no longer only what happened at the Ramlila Maidan—but what the investigation establishes about why it happened, who organised it and whether any law was violated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happened at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan?
A. A reported purification ritual involving a havan and Gangajal was conducted at the venue on August 10, two days after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a Congress rally there.
Q. Has an FIR been registered?
A. Yes. Nainital Police registered an FIR against unknown persons at Haldwani Kotwali on September 8, 2026.
Q. Who filed the complaint leading to the FIR?
A. Police said the FIR was based on a complaint by Anju, a Haldwani-based social activist and lawyer.
Q. How many complaints did police receive?
A. Police said they received around 80 complaints and petitions from across Uttarakhand, including 19 from Nainital district.
Q. Why is Congress opposing the ritual?
A. Congress leaders allege that the ceremony amounted to caste-based discrimination and an insult to Kharge, a Dalit leader.
Q. What does the BJP say?
A. BJP leaders have denied that the party conducted or supported a caste-based purification ceremony and have said the matter should be investigated if there is evidence of wrongdoing.
