NAMSAI, SEP 6:

The District Congress Committee (DCC), Namsai, has strongly protested against the FIR registered against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning an alleged “purification ritual” at a venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a political rally.

Led by DCC President Chau Ambika Engling, the party alleged that the FIR was politically motivated and questioned why action was initiated against Rahul Gandhi for raising the issue while those allegedly responsible for the purported ritual had not faced similar scrutiny.

The DCC said that if the alleged ritual was conducted because Kharge, a Dalit leader, had addressed the venue, it would amount to a serious manifestation of caste prejudice and would be contrary to the constitutional principles of equality and dignity. It maintained that speaking against caste discrimination and demanding accountability cannot be treated as a crime.

The party also questioned what it described as an attempt to turn the complainant into an accused, alleging selective application of the law and misuse of state machinery to intimidate the Opposition.

The DCC demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and sought registration of an FIR against all persons found responsible for the alleged ritual if the allegations are established. It also called for a fair, impartial, independent and time-bound investigation into the incident, equal application of the law without political interference and strict action against anyone found promoting caste discrimination or untouchability.

The DCC said the issue was not merely about Rahul Gandhi but concerned the protection of constitutional values, equality and justice. It reiterated the Congress’ opposition to caste discrimination, untouchability and social humiliation.