Mysuru: Members of the Mysuru district Congress, including city and rural units, staged a protest near Congress Bhavan on Tuesday, condemning the registration of an FIR against Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged ‘Shuddikiran’ (purification) remark and the reported caste-related controversy involving AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The protest was organised in support of nationwide demonstrations called by the Congress against the FIR. Party workers raised slogans against the Union government and the BJP, accusing the ruling party of engaging in what they described as revenge politics.
Congress workers oppose FIR
The protesters gathered near Dasappa Circle and criticised the registration of a case against Rahul Gandhi after he questioned the alleged purification of a venue where Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a gathering in Uttarakhand.
Congress leaders alleged that the RSS had carried out a purification ritual at Ramlila Maidan after Kharge’s programme. They condemned the act, stating that it reflected superstition and amounted to an insult to the senior Congress leader.
The protesters questioned why action had not been taken against those responsible for the alleged purification, while an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi after he demanded accountability.
District Congress president (rural) B J Vijaykumar said the developments had created a situation in which the Congress was compelled to launch a wider struggle against the BJP.
He alleged that the Centre was insulting the law and the Constitution and said Congress workers would continue to oppose what they termed politically motivated action.
‘FIR ge bagguvudilla, jagguvudilla’
Congress workers raised slogans of “FIR ge bagguvudilla, jagguvudilla” (we will neither bow nor yield to the FIR) during the demonstration.
The slogan reflected the party workers’ opposition to the case against Rahul Gandhi and their determination to continue the protests.
The Congress members alleged that Rahul Gandhi had only sought action against those who were responsible for the alleged incident involving the purification of the place where Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed the public.
According to the protesters, despite demonstrations by several organisations against the alleged act, the Union government had failed to initiate appropriate action.
They questioned the basis for registering an FIR against a person who had raised objections to what they described as an improper act.
Youth Congress stages separate protest
Meanwhile, Mysuru Youth Congress members organised a separate protest at RTO Circle. The Youth Congress workers accused the BJP of pursuing revenge politics and demanded that the FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi be withdrawn.
The protesters later attempted to lay siege to Madhava Krupa of Sri Jana Jagarana Trust as part of their demonstration. Police intervened and took the protesting Youth Congress members into custody to prevent the situation from escalating.
The detained protesters were subsequently released.
The Youth Congress members maintained that the FIR should be withdrawn and reiterated their opposition to what they described as political targeting of opposition leaders.
Leaders condemn alleged purification
During the protest, Congress leaders strongly condemned the reported purification ritual at Ramlila Maidan following Mallikarjun Kharge’s address.
They alleged that such an act was unacceptable and contrary to the principles of equality and constitutional values. The protesters also criticised the RSS over the incident and questioned the silence of the Union government despite objections raised by organisations in different parts of the country.
Congress leaders said Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue publicly and sought action against those responsible rather than making an allegation without basis.
The party workers argued that registering a case against him for raising the issue was unjustified.
Congress vows continued opposition
The demonstrations in Mysuru formed part of the wider political confrontation between the Congress and BJP over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress leaders said the party would continue to raise issues concerning constitutional values, social equality and alleged discrimination. They also said party workers would not be deterred by police cases or other measures.
The protests also brought together leaders and workers from the city and rural Congress units, signalling the party’s intention to maintain pressure over the issue.
City Congress president R Murthy, H V Rajeev, Eshwar Chakkadi, Dairy Venkatesh, M Shivanna, Shanthakumari and Pushpalatha Chikkanna were among those who participated in the demonstration.
The protests concluded with Congress workers reiterating their demand for the withdrawal of the FIR and asserting that they would continue to oppose what they described as political vendetta.