Mangaluru: District Congress Scheduled Caste Cell president Dinesh Mulur has condemned the FIR registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his opposition to a controversial “purification” ritual reportedly held at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting.
Speaking at a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Mallikatta on Wednesday, Mulur alleged that the ritual directed at Kharge amounted to caste discrimination and untouchability. He questioned why an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi instead of action being taken against those who organised the ritual.
Mulur calls ritual an act of caste discrimination
Mulur alleged that conducting a purification ritual after Kharge’s public meeting was an insult to the Congress president and reflected caste-based discrimination.
He questioned the rationale behind registering a case against Rahul Gandhi, who had criticised the incident, while those responsible for organising the alleged ritual were not, according to him, being subjected to similar action.
The Congress leader said the issue should be viewed in the context of constitutional rights and the dignity of members of the Scheduled Caste community. He alleged that targeting Kharge in such a manner amounted to perpetuating practices associated with untouchability.
The comments were made during a press conference attended by Congress workers at the party office in Mallikatta.
Rahul Gandhi’s support for marginalised communities highlighted
Mulur defended Rahul Gandhi and said the Congress leader had consistently raised issues concerning Dalits, farmers, students and other marginalised sections of society.
According to Mulur, Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the alleged treatment of Kharge should not be viewed as an isolated political statement. He argued that action against Gandhi for speaking out on the matter would effectively amount to targeting those who oppose caste discrimination.
Mulur said the Congress leader had continued to raise concerns relating to socially and economically disadvantaged communities and had spoken about their rights on various platforms.
He asserted that the Dalit community would remain firmly behind Rahul Gandhi in the wake of the FIR.
Mulur questions Modi’s alleged silence
During the press conference, Mulur also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what he described as silence on the incident involving Kharge.
He questioned why the Prime Minister had not publicly addressed the controversy and accused the Sangh Parivar of attempting to undermine the Constitution and revive caste-based discrimination.
These remarks reflect the Congress leader’s broader political criticism of the BJP and organisations associated with it. Mulur maintained that constitutional values should remain central to public life and that attempts to discriminate against people on the basis of caste should be opposed.
He said the dignity and rights guaranteed under the Constitution could not be compromised.
Nehru-Gandhi family’s contribution recalled
Mulur also referred to the contributions of the Nehru-Gandhi family while speaking about the Congress party’s role in India’s development.
He highlighted the contributions of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, particularly in relation to nation-building and measures aimed at improving the conditions of weaker sections.
According to Mulur, the Congress leadership had historically worked towards expanding opportunities and protections for disadvantaged communities.
He invoked the legacy of the Nehru-Gandhi family while defending Rahul Gandhi and emphasising the Congress party’s position on social equality and constitutional safeguards.
Congress leader says Dalits will oppose discrimination
Mulur concluded his remarks by asserting that members of the Dalit community would stand firmly with Rahul Gandhi and resist what he described as attempts to undermine their constitutional rights and dignity.
He said the community would oppose any action or practice that promoted caste discrimination and untouchability.
The controversy surrounding the alleged purification ritual has consequently become a political issue, with Congress leaders questioning both the incident itself and the FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
Mulur’s statements from Mangaluru add to the Congress party’s criticism of the action taken against Gandhi. He maintained that the focus should instead be on addressing the alleged caste discrimination involved in the ritual and protecting the dignity of those affected.
The Congress leader reiterated that constitutional principles of equality and dignity must be upheld, while asserting that the Scheduled Caste community would continue to oppose any effort to revive discriminatory practices.