Karnataka: Resolution passed against ‘purification’ ritual

The Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday passed a resolution condemning the ritual “purification” of the stage used by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, to address a gathering at Ram Lila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, recently.

The resolution was moved by Congress member F.H. Jakkannanavar even as the Opposition vociferously demanded the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra, creating a din in the House. Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed declared the resolution passed on a voice vote.

The Congress member said the BJP and “Manuvadis” had insulted Mr. Kharge, a Dalit, by performing rituals to “cleanse” the stage from which he had addressed the gathering.

“Untouchability is being practised publicly,” he said. He pointed out that the Rajya Sabha Chairman had already condemned the incident and ordered an inquiry into it.

Citing the incident, Congress members also questioned the BJP’s moral right to speak about Dalits.

While the BJP and JD(S) members were raising slogans against the government over inducting Mr. Nagendra, Congress members matched them by raising “shame on you” slogans over the Uttarakand incident.