Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Dr. Pratima Singh has strongly condemned the statement made by BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt, in which he justified the alleged ‘purification’ ritual performed after the rally held by Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani.
Dr. Singh stated that this remark is not merely an insult to Mallikarjun Kharge but also an affront to the sentiments of crores of Dalits, the marginalized, and citizens who believe in the Constitution. She asserted that since the Constitution prohibits untouchability and caste-based discrimination, justifying a mindset akin to ‘purification’ runs counter to social equality and constitutional values.
Questioning the BJP’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Together with all, Development for all), she demanded that the party leadership clarify its stance regarding Mahendra Bhatt’s statement. The Congress spokesperson remarked that while complaints or legal action regarding any untoward incident in a public space are permissible, a mentality of ‘purification’ based on social identity is unacceptable.
