FIR registered against Shri Ram Sena for casteist ritual at Haldwani
FIR registered against Shri Ram Sena for casteist ritual at Haldwani
M.U.H
08/09/202612
An FIR has been filed by Nainital Police over the alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual conducted at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani following a rally by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.
The FIR was registered at Haldwani Kotwali on the complaint of Congress worker Anju under Sections 196 and 299 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath TC has assigned the investigation to SP Crime Jagdish Chandra.
The Congress party had been demanding an FIR against those responsible for the purification ceremony, which was carried out by the Shri Ram Sena organisation.
Speaking to ANI, Nainital SSP Manjunath TC stated that police had received 80 complaints and petitions from across Uttarakhand, including 19 from Nainital district, requesting an FIR. Following a legal review, the FIR was registered based on the complaint submitted by Anju, who also provided relevant video evidence.
“We received various petitions and applications from organisations, political parties across the state concerning the alleged events at Ramlila Maidan on the 10th — specifically the cleaning, rituals, and the alleged purification ceremony. During legal scrutiny, we learned that a social activist and lawyer from Haldwani, Anju, was the first to lodge a formal written complaint and provide related videos to the police,” he said.
“Based on her formal complaint, we have today registered an FIR against unknown persons under Sections 196 and 299 of the IPC and Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act. The investigation is underway. Considering the sensitivity of the case, we have entrusted the investigation to Jagdish Chandra, a senior officer promoted to the IPS cadre. We appeal to all complainants to note that the investigation is in progress,” SSP Manjunath added.
Earlier, Congress members marched from Parade Ground to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s residence demanding action against those responsible for the ritual at Ramlila Maidan. In response to protests, the district administration deployed police personnel at several locations.
AICC State In-Charge Kumari Selja condemned the purification ritual, accusing the BJP-led Uttarakhand government of systemic corruption and deception. She said, “This is a corrupt government. The people here are being betrayed and deceived. When our National President comes to raise the voice of the people, to speak up for everyone, the government and those who subscribe to this ideology perform a ‘purification’ ritual. The clarion call for 2027 has been sounded. In 2027, this corrupt government will be ousted, and a government belonging to the Congress party and the people of Uttarakhand will be formed, not a government of the mafia.”
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami denied that any purification ritual was performed on the basis of caste. He said, “Regarding the Haldwani incident, we have already stated that no purification ritual was performed based on anyone’s caste. ‘Shri Ram Sena’ is an independent organisation, and none of its press releases, issued either before or after the event, nor any videos, contained anything directed against any specific person or caste. If there is any evidence, we have asked for it to be produced; if such an act has occurred, we will take the strictest possible action.”
He added, “The entire country, and all of Uttarakhand, understands the kind of political narrative they are trying to construct. That is why members of our party are gathering across the state today to awaken the public and spread awareness; our Scheduled Caste Morcha office-bearers and workers are actively working to expose them.”
