2 min readBengaluruAug 17, 2026 08:16 PM ISTCongress chief Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally in Haldwani on August 8. (File Photo)The Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday passed a resolution condemning the ritual purification of a venue in Uttarakhand where Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, had addressed a public meeting earlier this month.Congress MLC H Jakkappanavar moved the resolution during the Council proceedings, terming the act a violation of constitutional values. “By performing homa and havan to purify the place where Dr Mallikarjun Kharge stood and delivered his speech, Manuvaadis have publicly practised untouchability and insulted the Constitution of India,” the resolution read.Council Chairperson Saleem Ahmed put the resolution to vote. It was passed by voice vote amid noisy protests from Opposition members pressing for the resignation of minister B Nagendra over his alleged involvement in the Valmiki corporation scam. A BJP MLC alleged that his reinduction into the Cabinet amounted to the betrayal of the Scheduled Tribes community.The incident occurred at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan, where Kharge spoke at a Congress rally on August 8. The site reportedly underwent a shuddikaran havan (purification ritual) conducted by a right-wing group on August 10. Kharge, who is a Dalit, later raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, saying that the ritual made him “feel the sting of untouchability”.Also Read | Congress slams ‘havan’ after Kharge’s Uttarakhand rally, BJP denies linkJakkappanavar, in the letter seeking permission to move the resolution, had pointed out that the Rajya Sabha chairperson had already condemned the episode and ordered an inquiry. The Upper House of the state Legislature must also take a similar stand, the letter said.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementAdvertisement