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Rahul Gandhi Booked Under SC/ST Act Over Remarks on Uttarakhand Religious Ritual

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the SC/ST Act following controversial remarks on a religious 'purification' ritual in Uttarakhand, drawing condemnation from Congress leaders.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the SC/ST Act after remarks on a 'purification' ritual performed at a Haldwani venue used for a rally by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, according to August 30-31 reports. Rahul Gandhi had reportedly first demanded an FIR over the Haldwani ritual before he himself was booked. Congress leaders have since submitted formal complaints demanding FIR registration over the ritual. Uttarakhand Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana has publicly called the ritual 'outrageous.' Congress leaders have condemned the FIR against Gandhi as evidence of a 'casteist mentality,' and on August 31 Congress workers staged a protest against Uttarakhand BJP's state president, demanding he too be booked under the SC/ST Act. A Youth Congress protest outside the BJP state office the same day triggered visible tension between party workers. BJP and Congress workers have filed multiple FIRs against each other across Uttarakhand districts, escalating the dispute into a mutual legal battle. Congress has announced state-level protest marches across the country over the FIR, with protests staged in Bengaluru, Delhi and within Uttarakhand itself on September 1, including a march organised to the state secretariat in Dehradun; during that march, Congress leader Godiyal was detained by police and senior leader Harak Singh Rawat fell ill, according to a September 2 Garhwal Post report. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami publicly criticized Rahul Gandhi over the remarks during a tea event in Khatima on September 1. BJP's SC Morcha escalated the standoff further on September 1 by performing a 'buddhi-shuddhi' ritual directed at Gandhi himself. On September 2, Uttarakhand Congress formally demanded withdrawal of the FIR against Gandhi and threatened a statewide agitation, according to a Garhwal Post report. The same day, Dhami further criticized Gandhi, saying he 'doesn't care about FIRs' and that Dalits need self-respect, according to an India Today report. Also on September 2, Congress alleged the row exposes BJP double standards and demanded the FIR record be made public, according to a Hub News report. On September 3, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote directly to BJP national president JP Nadda, urging him to ensure an FIR is registered over the Haldwani ritual, according to reports from The News Mill and Deccan Chronicle. Later on September 3, a ThePrint report says Kharge told Nadda that no FIR has been registered despite an earlier assurance, and questioned the delay in action. The same day, former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur said the ritual amounted to a crime and called Uttarakhand police's handling of the matter 'bizarre,' according to a TheWire.in report. Also on September 3, Kharge told reporters BJP could 'file as many FIRs as they want,' per an ANI report. A further September 3 New Indian Express report quotes Kharge describing the ritual itself as an act of 'untouchability.' The same day, CM Dhami said Rahul Gandhi's 'two-cup system' remark 'won't woo voters,' according to a thehawk.in report. A PIL was filed in the Nainital High Court seeking a probe into the ritual, according to a September 3 ANI News report, and a September 4 ETV Bharat report says the case is likely to be heard on September 7. The exact police stations involved, the specific wording of Gandhi's remarks, and the current status of the various FIRs remain undisclosed.

What We Know

Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the SC/ST Act over remarks on a religious 'purification' ritual in Uttarakhand.
Congress leaders have condemned the FIR against Gandhi.
Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana has called the 'purification' of the venue used for a Kharge rally outrageous, indicating the ritual controversy followed a Congress rally.
The disputed 'purification' ritual took place at a Haldwani venue used for a rally by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Rahul Gandhi had reportedly demanded an FIR over the ritual before police booked him under the SC/ST Act a day later.
Congress plans to file its own FIRs across Uttarakhand districts, alongside legal action and protests.
Congress has framed the FIR against Rahul Gandhi as an example of 'casteist mentality', according to an August 31 Daily Pioneer report.
BJP and Congress workers have filed multiple FIRs against each other across Uttarakhand districts over the Haldwani ritual row, escalating it into a mutual legal battle, per an August 31 India Today report.
Congress has announced plans to protest the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi, according to an August 31 India Today report.
Congress workers protested against Uttarakhand BJP's state president, demanding an SC/ST Act case against him over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual.
Congress has vowed to take the protest against the FIR nationwide, saying it will not stop Rahul Gandhi.
A Youth Congress protest outside the BJP state office on August 31 triggered visible tension between workers, per The Hindu.
Congress leaders have submitted formal complaints demanding FIR registration over the Haldwani ritual.
Uttarakhand Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana has called the purification ritual at Kharge's rally venue 'outrageous'
Congress leaders have cited an alleged insult to party president Mallikarjun Kharge as an additional factor fueling the protest, per an August 31 Telegraph India report.
Congress has announced state-level protest marches across the country over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
Congress staged a protest in Bengaluru on September 1 against the FIR, part of announced nationwide protest marches.
Uttarakhand Congress staged a large protest within the state on September 1 over the Haldwani ritual controversy.
Congress organised a protest march to the state secretariat over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami publicly criticized Rahul Gandhi over the caste remarks during a tea event in Khatima, according to a September 1 Hindustan Times report.
BJP's SC Morcha performed a 'buddhi-shuddhi' ritual targeting Rahul Gandhi on September 1, deepening the tit-for-tat dispute, according to a Times of India report.
Congress protests over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi have spread to Delhi, alongside Bengaluru and Uttarakhand demonstrations on September 1.
Uttarakhand Congress has demanded withdrawal of the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and threatened a statewide agitation, according to a September 2 Garhwal Post report.
Dhami said Rahul Gandhi doesn't care about FIRs and that Dalits need self-respect, per a September 2 India Today report.
Congress demanded on September 2 that the record of FIRs related to the Haldwani ritual row be made public, alleging BJP double standards.
Congress leader Godiyal was detained by police during the September 1-2 march to the state secretariat in Dehradun.
Senior Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat fell ill during the protest march.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to BJP national president JP Nadda demanding an FIR be registered over the Haldwani ritual, according to September 3 reports.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur called the 'shuddhikaran' ritual a crime and described Uttarakhand police's handling of the matter as 'bizarre,' per a September 3 TheWire.in report.
Kharge told Nadda no FIR has been registered over the Haldwani ritual despite Nadda's earlier assurance, and questioned the delay in action.
Kharge told reporters on September 3 that BJP could 'file as many FIRs as they want.'
Kharge has described the Haldwani purification ritual as an act of 'untouchability.'
CM Dhami said on September 3 that Rahul Gandhi's 'two-cup system' remark 'won't woo voters,' per thehawk.in.
A PIL has been filed in the Nainital High Court seeking a probe into the Haldwani 'purification' ritual, per a September 3 ANI News report.
The PIL over the Haldwani purification ritual is likely to be heard by the Uttarakhand High Court on September 7.

What Is Still Unclear

The exact location where the FIR was registered.
The specific comments made by Gandhi that led to the case.
Which police unit is handling the case and what charges have been formally filed.
Whether Gandhi or the Congress party plans any legal response.

What Changed

4 Sept, 03:21 am
A September 4 ETV Bharat report says the PIL filed in the Uttarakhand High Court over the Haldwani purification ritual is likely to be heard on September 7.
3 Sept, 07:30 pm
No new information: the PIL over the Haldwani purification ritual filed in the Uttarakhand High Court is already reflected in this story's record of September 3 developments.
3 Sept, 04:10 pm
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Nainital High Court seeking a probe into the 'purification' ritual performed at the Haldwani venue used for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's rally, according to a September 3 ANI News report citing the petitioner as 'pained by this incident.' The report does not disclose the petitioner's identity, the specific reliefs sought, or when the court will hear the matter.
3 Sept, 11:41 am
According to a September 3 thehawk.in report, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said Rahul Gandhi's 'two-cup system' remark 'won't woo voters,' continuing his criticism of the Congress leader amid the ongoing SC/ST Act row.
3 Sept, 11:10 am
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has further described the Haldwani 'purification' ritual as an act of 'untouchability', according to a September 3 New Indian Express report.
3 Sept, 10:40 am
On September 3, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters BJP could 'file as many FIRs as they want,' hitting out at the party over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi in the Haldwani purification ritual row, according to an ANI report.
3 Sept, 09:00 am
A September 3 ThePrint report says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has told BJP president JP Nadda that no FIR has been registered over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual despite Nadda's earlier assurance, and questioned the delay in action.
3 Sept, 05:51 am
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur said the 'shuddhikaran' ritual amounted to a crime and called Uttarakhand police's handling of the matter 'bizarre,' according to a September 3 TheWire.in report.
3 Sept, 05:01 am
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to BJP national president JP Nadda, urging him to ensure an FIR is registered over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual, according to September 3 reports from The News Mill and Deccan Chronicle.
2 Sept, 04:00 pm
During the Congress march to the state secretariat in Dehradun over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Uttarakhand Congress leader Godiyal was detained by police, and senior Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat fell ill amid the protest, according to a September 2 Garhwal Post report.
2 Sept, 02:11 pm
Congress said on September 2 that the Haldwani purification row exposes BJP double standards and formally demanded that the record of FIRs related to the case be made public, according to a Hub News report.
2 Sept, 09:40 am
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami further criticized Rahul Gandhi on September 2, saying Gandhi 'doesn't care about FIRs' and that Dalits need self-respect, according to an India Today report.
2 Sept, 08:11 am
Uttarakhand Congress has formally demanded withdrawal of the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and threatened a statewide agitation if it is not withdrawn, according to a September 2 Garhwal Post report.
1 Sept, 09:00 pm
Congress has extended its protests over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi to Delhi, according to a September 1 Tribune report, adding to earlier demonstrations in Bengaluru and within Uttarakhand.
1 Sept, 05:01 pm
BJP's SC Morcha performed a 'buddhi-shuddhi' (purification) ritual targeting Rahul Gandhi on September 1, escalating the tit-for-tat dispute over the Haldwani ritual controversy, according to a Times of India report.
1 Sept, 03:21 pm
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took a public swipe at Rahul Gandhi over his caste remarks during a tea event in Khatima, according to a September 1 Hindustan Times report.
1 Sept, 02:50 pm
Congress has organised a protest march to the state secretariat over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi tied to the Haldwani 'purification' ritual remarks, according to a September 1 Pioneer Edge report.
1 Sept, 08:50 am
Uttarakhand Congress workers staged a large protest on September 1 over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual controversy, according to ANI News and The News Mill reports, marking the party's previously announced state-level protest marches reaching the state itself following an earlier demonstration in Bengaluru the same day. The exact location, participant numbers, and any police response in Uttarakhand remain undisclosed.
1 Sept, 04:00 am
Congress workers staged a protest in Bengaluru on September 1 condemning the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, part of the party's announced nationwide state-level protest marches over the case.
1 Sept, 02:31 am
Congress has announced state-level protest marches across the country over the SC/ST Act FIR against Rahul Gandhi, according to a September 1 ANI News and The News Mill report.
1 Sept, 12:40 am
Congress leaders have additionally cited an alleged insult to party president Mallikarjun Kharge as fueling the statewide protest over the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, according to an August 31 Telegraph India report.
31 Aug, 11:11 pm
Uttarakhand Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana has publicly called the 'purification' of Kharge's rally venue outrageous, according to an August 31 India's News.Net report.
31 Aug, 06:41 pm
Congress leaders have submitted formal complaints demanding FIR registration over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual, according to an August 31 Pioneer Edge report.
31 Aug, 04:50 pm
A Youth Congress protest outside the BJP state office on August 31 triggered visible tension between party workers, according to an August 31 The Hindu report, amid the ongoing mutual FIR dispute over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual remarks.
31 Aug, 12:20 pm
Congress leaders have said the FIR against Rahul Gandhi will not stop him, vowing to take the protest nationwide over the Haldwani 'purification' row, according to an August 31 ETV Bharat report.
31 Aug, 11:20 am
Congress workers protested against Uttarakhand BJP's state president over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual, demanding he be booked under the SC/ST Act, according to August 31 reports from ANI News and The News Mill.
31 Aug, 09:41 am
Congress has said it plans to hold protests against the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi, escalating the standoff with BJP, according to an August 31 India Today report.
31 Aug, 08:21 am
BJP and Congress workers have now filed multiple FIRs against each other across Uttarakhand districts over the Haldwani 'purification' ritual row, turning the dispute into a mutual legal battle, according to an August 31 India Today report.
31 Aug, 07:40 am
Congress has vowed to fight what it calls a 'casteist mentality' behind the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, according to an August 31 Daily Pioneer report, reiterating plans for counter-FIRs and legal action across Uttarakhand districts.
31 Aug, 06:40 am
The FIR against Rahul Gandhi concerns remarks on a 'purification' ritual conducted at a Haldwani venue used for a rally by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress has responded by announcing plans to file its own FIRs across Uttarakhand districts, along with legal action and protests over the case against Gandhi.
31 Aug, 05:40 am
Uttarakhand Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana has called the 'purification' of the venue used for a rally by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge outrageous, according to an August 31 report. The remarks add context to the religious ritual controversy that led to the SC/ST Act case against Rahul Gandhi, though the exact location and full sequence of events remain undisclosed.
31 Aug, 05:30 am
Signal detected: Rahul Gandhi Booked Under SC/ST Act Over Remarks on Uttarakhand Religious Ritual