Bengaluru: Social Welfare Minister and Chitradurga district in-charge minister T. Raghumurthy has strongly condemned the registration of an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks questioning the alleged “purification” of a place visited by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
Raghumurthy said it was ironic that a case had been registered against Gandhi for raising his voice against untouchability and caste discrimination after questioning the alleged act of “purifying” a place visited by Dalit leader Kharge.
“The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted to protect Dalits and tribals. Using the same law against someone who raised his voice for the rights of Dalits goes against its very purpose,” he said, alleging that the law was being misused and that such action was an insult to the spirit of the Constitution.
“Why was there a need to ‘purify’ a place visited by a Dalit leader? Does such a practice not show that the mindset of caste-based inequality is still alive in society?” Raghumurthy asked.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Gandhi and called for an impartial probe into the alleged purification incident in Haldwani. Those found responsible should face stringent legal action, he said.
Under the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Dr BR Ambedkar, every citizen has the right to live with equality and dignity, Raghumurthy said, adding that the fight for social justice and the rights of the oppressed would be intensified.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have rejected the allegations, maintaining that neither the BJP nor the RSS had any connection with the alleged purification incident.