Congress protests over ‘purification’ of stage after Kharge’s speech, FIR against Rahul Gandhi - The HinduPublished - September 12, 2026 08:14 pm IST - KALABURAGICongress activists staging a protest in front of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Jagat Circle in Kalaburagi on Saturday (September 12). | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNICongress activists staged protests in Kalaburagi and Ballari on Saturday (September 12) against the reported “purification” of a stage in Uttarakhand following an address by Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the incident.Congress leaders described the reported purification ritual as a reflection of a regressive and casteist mindset and accused the BJP-led Uttarakhand government of using investigative and legal mechanisms to target Opposition leaders.In Kalaburagi, District Congress Campaign Committee president Ashok Veeranayaka led a silent padayatra from the District Congress Office to Jagat Circle and staged a demonstration in front of Ambedkar statue. Party leaders and workers carried portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the march.The protesters condemned the reported purification ritual at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following Mr. Kharge’s address on August 8. They also criticised the registration of an FIR against Mr. Rahul Gandhi after he spoke out against the incident and demanded that the case be withdrawn.District vice-presidents Mahantesh Kavalagi, Mallappa M. Hosamani, Dinesh Doddamani, Moidin Patel Anabi, Veerasangappa Patil, Sharanu Shastri and Harish Banapur, besides block presidents and other senior Congress leaders, participated in the protest.In Ballari, the Ballari City District Congress Committee staged a silent demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.The protest was led by KPCC Campaign Committee district in-charge Anand Kumar, Ballari City District Congress Committee president Allam Prashanth and District Publicity Committee president G.S. Eerana Gowda.Speaking to the media, Congress leaders alleged that the incident in Haldwani reflected caste discrimination and accused the Uttarakhand government of targeting senior Opposition leaders. They demanded action against those responsible for the purification ceremony and withdrawal of the FIR registered against Mr. Rahul Gandhi.District Guarantee Implementation Committee chairman Chidanandappa, senior leaders L. Marenna, Gujjala Gadilingappa, Rudrappa, Alivelu Suresh, Sanna Nagaraj, Nataraj, Sanna Honnurappa and Jyothi participated in the protest.Published - September 12, 2026 08:14 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }