# Rajya Sabha orders probe into Kharge stage ‘purification’ claim 2026-08-13T12:39:35+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan has ordered a government investigation after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that people linked to the BJP performed a 'purification' ritual at a Haldwani venue after his August 8 rally. Kharge, a Dalit leader, said a havan and shuddhikaran were conducted on the stage where he spoke, calling it an insult under the Untouchability (Offences) Act. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda called the incident regrettable, denied BJP involvement, and assured a probe. The Chairman said any insult to the Leader of the Opposition is an insult to the House. Kharge demanded that those responsible be arrested, stressing that his speech had no religious reference. The Uttarakhand Congress first made the allegation. Nadda objected to Kharge's use of the phrase 'you people' during the exchange. The government has not yet named any suspects. ## Coverage - news.abplive.com - newindianexpress.com - newindianexpress.com Tags: BJP, Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, purification row, Rajya Sabha, untouchability Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/rajya-sabha-orders-probe-into-kharge-stage-purification-row/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/rajya-sabha-orders-probe-into-kharge-stage-purification-row/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.