---
title: "Dalit group condemns 'purification' ritual after Congress leader's rally"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/dalit-group-condemns-purification-ritual-uttarakhand-tr0sa
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Society
published: 2026-08-14T15:00:29.175Z
modified: 2026-08-14T17:30:08.277Z
language: en-IN
---

# Dalit group condemns 'purification' ritual after Congress leader's rally

The Dalit Sangharsh Samithi has condemned a reported purification ritual at a public ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The group stated the act was an insult to both the Congress president and the Scheduled Caste community.

## Key takeaways

- The Dalit Sangharsh Samithi condemned a purification ritual at Haldwani's Ramlila ground on August 10.
- The ritual reportedly occurred two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a rally at the same site.
- DSS State convener D.G. Sagar stated the ceremony insulted both Kharge and the Scheduled Caste community.
- Sagar cited the event as proof of ongoing caste discrimination and untouchability despite constitutional safeguards.
- The DSS urged Uttarakhand authorities to register cases under the SC/ST Act and laws against untouchability.

The Dalit Sangharsh Samithi (DSS) has condemned a ritual described as a purification ceremony that allegedly took place at Haldwani's Ramlila ground in Uttarakhand. This event reportedly occurred on August 10, two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a public rally at the same location.

D.G. Sagar, the State convener of the DSS, stated that the ritual was an insult to Mr. Kharge and also to the Scheduled Caste community. Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi city on Friday, Sagar highlighted the incident as evidence that caste discrimination and untouchability persist despite existing constitutional protections.

Sagar drew parallels to the Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, where similar purification rituals were reportedly performed after Dalits drank water from the Chavdar Tank. He noted that the repetition of such practices nearly a century later indicates that the struggle against caste discrimination remains ongoing.

The DSS convener expressed concern that the reported ritual at the Ramlila ground challenges the constitutional principles of equality and dignity. He called on Uttarakhand authorities to file cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and laws pertaining to untouchability. Sagar also urged for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the ceremony. The DSS has warned of intensified agitation throughout the state if no action is taken.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/dalit-group-condemns-purification-ritual-uttarakhand-tr0sa
Reported from: Multiple Sources