‘This is untouchability’, Rahul Gandhi seeks justice for Kharge; says ‘file FIR quickly’

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP government at the Centre and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during a press conference on Saturday. Raising the issue of alleged discrimination and atrocities against Dalits in the country, he said that a battle between two ideologies is still taking place in India. On one side is the Constitution, while on the other is the ideology of the BJP and RSS.

Rahul Gandhi said the Constitution of India represents the ideology of Dr BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. He said the current political struggle in the country should be viewed as a conflict between these ideologies. Citing examples of alleged discrimination against Dalits, he said the Constitution has made untouchability and discrimination illegal, but such incidents are still reported in several parts of society.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that in some schools, Dalit children are made to clean toilets and perform sweeping and mopping work. He said such incidents can have a serious impact on the mental development of children and the thinking of future generations. He also alleged discrimination against Dalits over access to water sources in villages. According to him, Dalits are still not allowed to use public wells in some places and are forced to make separate arrangements. He also mentioned the alleged practice of keeping separate cups at tea shops. According to Rahul Gandhi, in some places, Dalits are given cups that are thrown away after use, while other customers are served in glass cups.

The Congress leader also raised the issue of alleged violence against Dalits over riding horses during weddings and processions. He said Dalit grooms are still prevented from riding horses in several places and are assaulted when they object. Rahul Gandhi said this is not limited to any particular area and such incidents are seen in cities and villages across North India.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP does not want to see Dalits progress. He said that the more successful a Dalit person becomes, the greater the attack against them. However, the BJP's response to these political allegations was not available in the report.

During the press conference, Rahul Gandhi also referred to alleged ‘purification’ incidents in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. He alleged that a ‘purification’ ritual was carried out by BJP leaders in Rajasthan after the Congress Legislature Party leader visited a temple. He described it as another form of untouchability and said such activities are against the Constitution.

Rahul Gandhi also referred to an incident involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. He claimed that a ‘purification’ ritual was conducted there after Kharge delivered a speech. Rahul Gandhi said Kharge has dedicated his entire life to the country and the Constitution and that such treatment of him is a serious matter.

He said that if a temple premises is ‘purified’ after a person visits it, it means that the person is being considered impure. Rahul Gandhi described this as untouchability and said the Indian Constitution has made untouchability a crime.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that Congress president Kharge had visited the temple on August 8, the alleged ‘purification’ was carried out on August 10, and Kharge described the act as a crime on August 13. He said a BJP leader in Uttarakhand had allegedly justified the ‘purification’. Rahul Gandhi demanded action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case.

He said nearly 20 days had passed since the incident and demanded that an FIR be registered as soon as possible against those allegedly involved. Rahul Gandhi also referred to alleged discrimination during Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's visit to a temple and said such incidents cannot be treated as normal.

Rahul Gandhi said discrimination and violence against Dalits are not merely problems of the past. Although the Constitution has legally abolished untouchability and discrimination, he said their remnants still exist at the social level. He added that the political conflict between the Constitution and the ideology he described continues in the country.