Harish Rawat Observes 'Maun Vrat' In Delhi Over Case Against Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader and former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday observed a 'maun vrat' or vow of silence in Delhi to protest the FIR registered against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with the Haldwani purification row.

The protest comes amid a growing political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over an alleged 'shuddhikaran' or purification ritual conducted at Haldwani's Ramlila Ground after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.

What Is The Controversy?

The controversy began after a 'shuddhikaran' havan was allegedly performed at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 10, two days after Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally at the venue.

Mallikarjun Kharge objected to the ritual and described it as an insult. He also raised the issue in Parliament. Congress leaders have alleged that the ritual was an act of caste discrimination and have linked it to the issue of untouchability.

Rahul Gandhi later strongly criticised the incident. He held the press conference  described the alleged purification as another form of untouchability and demanded that an FIR be registered against those responsible, including under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The BJP, however, has denied having any role in the ritual. BJP leaders have said the Congress was giving a caste angle to the incident and accused it of misleading the Dalit community.

FIR Against Rahul Gandhi

The political controversy escalated after an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani.

According to reports, the FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act, following his remarks on the alleged purification ceremony.

The Congress has strongly objected to the FIR and has called it an attempt to target the Leader of Opposition for raising the issue of caste discrimination and freedom of expression.

The party has also announced protests in different parts of the country against the FIR.

Harish Rawat's Protest

Against this backdrop, Harish Rawat reached Shri Guru Ravidas Dharm Sthan in Sector 3, RK Puram, Delhi, where he began his maun vrat in protest against the FIR against Rahul Gandhi and the alleged purification of the Haldwani venue.

Before holding maun vrat, Rawat said Rahul Gandhi had only spoken about what the Constitution and the law provide and questioned how an FIR could be registered against the Leader of Opposition.

He said the incident involving Kharge was unacceptable and alleged that the BJP was trying to divert attention from important issues.

Rawat also said the Congress would continue its protest across the country.

He said that once he is physically fit, he plans to sit on a day-long dharna at Lila Maidan in Haldwani.

Rawat also alleged that the controversy was not merely political but concerned the larger issue of equality and the practice of untouchability.

"Whatever has happened against our party, president and senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge is completely unacceptable," Rawat said.

He further said that democratic forces would come together to oppose what he described as an attack on freedom of expression.