Now Reading: Kharge ‘hurt’ over Congress silence on Haldwani purification row
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Kharge ‘hurt’ over Congress silence on Haldwani purification row
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told the Congress Working Committee on Wednesday that he was 'very upset' that several senior party leaders, particularly those who get media space, did not condemn the 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ritual held in Haldwani after his August 8 rally there. Sources told India TV, New Indian Express and Times Now that Kharge referred to those leaders as 'good-looking' people who had remained silent.
The ritual, allegedly performed by Shri Ram Sena, was condemned by the Congress as reflecting a casteist mindset towards Kharge, who is Dalit. Union minister JP Nadda told the Rajya Sabha no BJP member was involved and promised an inquiry. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party passed a resolution demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The pro-government framing via Times Now emphasises the 'BJP-RSS' accusation and demands a PM apology, presenting Kharge as angry and the incident as a clear party-political attack. India TV, by contrast, leads with Kharge's internal party hurt and his disappointment with 'good looking' leaders, foregrounding Congress self-criticism and deflecting from the BJP response. The middle-ground read: Kharge is genuinely stung by the ritual and is using both the Rajya Sabha and the CWC to pressure his own party to rally, and the BJP to investigate. The concrete watch point is the promised BJP inquiry outcome and whether the Prime Minister breaks silence on the matter.
Coverage: 3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral
Sources (3): indiatvnews.com (neutral report), newindianexpress.com (neutral report), timesnownews.com (government critical)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
