--- title: "Rahul Gandhi Booked in Haldwani Over Remarks on ‘Purification’ Ritual; Caste Angle Triggers Row" english_title: "Rahul Gandhi Booked in Haldwani Over Purification Ritual Remarks" publisher: "Truevision English News" canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380499/rahul-gandhi-booked-haldwani-purification-ritual-remarks" published_at: "2026-08-31T09:32:00+05:30" category: "National" language: "en" image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a94fdc3ea0e1_rahul-gandhi-booked-haldwani-purification-ritual-remarks.jpg" keywords: ["Haldwani news", "Haldwani purification row", "Uttarakhand Police", "Mallikarjun Kharge", "Congress", "Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita", "Rahul Gandhi latest news"] --- # Rahul Gandhi Booked in Haldwani Over Remarks on ‘Purification’ Ritual; Caste Angle Triggers Row > **Lead Summary:** **HALDWANI:** Uttarakhand Police have registered a case against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over allegations that he portrayed a religious ritual conducted in Haldwani through a caste-based lens. The case was registered following a complaint filed by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community who was reportedly involved in the purification process. ## Article Content **HALDWANI:** Uttarakhand Police have registered a case against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over allegations that he portrayed a religious ritual conducted in Haldwani through a caste-based lens. The case was registered following a complaint filed by Amit Kumar, a member of the Valmiki community who was reportedly involved in the purification process. The controversy relates to a purification ritual conducted at a venue in Haldwani after a programme attended by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. The incident had triggered a political controversy at the national level, with Congress leaders alleging that the ritual had a caste-related dimension. Rahul Gandhi had strongly criticised the incident and reportedly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the registration of a case against those involved in conducting the purification ceremony. Soon after Gandhi raised the issue, a complaint was filed against him, leading to the registration of the case by Uttarakhand Police. Case registered under BNS and SC/ST Act Police have registered the case under two provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to the police, the provisions invoked include allegations relating to attempts to promote enmity or create discord between different communities. The Haldwani Superintendent of Police has officially confirmed the registration of the case. The complaint alleges that Rahul Gandhi's statements gave a caste-based interpretation to what the Valmiki community members described as a normal religious ceremony. Complainant rejects caste-based interpretation According to complainant Amit Kumar, the ceremony conducted by members of the Valmiki community was a religious and customary activity and had no connection with untouchability or discrimination based on caste. The complaint reportedly states that people from different communities participated in the ceremony and that there was no attempt to discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste. Kumar has alleged that Gandhi's remarks gave the incident a completely different interpretation and created an impression that the ceremony was connected to caste discrimination. The complainant further alleged that such statements could create division and tension between communities by giving a caste-based colour to what he described as an ordinary religious practice. Congress had demanded action over the purification ceremony The original controversy gained attention after the venue where Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a gathering was reportedly subjected to a purification ceremony. Congress leaders objected strongly to the incident and argued that it amounted to an insult to Kharge and reflected caste discrimination. The party demanded police action against those who conducted the ceremony. Rahul Gandhi also raised the matter publicly and demanded that those responsible face legal action. The latest FIR has now turned the controversy in another direction, with a complaint being registered against Gandhi himself over his remarks concerning the incident. What happens next? Although Congress has demanded action against those who conducted the purification ceremony, no corresponding police action against them has been reported so far in the material provided. The registration of a case against Rahul Gandhi has therefore added another political and legal dimension to the Haldwani controversy. The police investigation is expected to examine the exact nature and context of Gandhi's remarks, the circumstances surrounding the purification ceremony and the allegations made in the complaint. The case is likely to attract further political attention as the Congress and its opponents present competing interpretations of the incident. The next steps by Uttarakhand Police, including the progress of the investigation and any further legal action, are now being closely watched. ### Related Links & Sources - [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380499/rahul-gandhi-booked-haldwani-purification-ritual-remarks)