Strongly condemning the alleged purification ritual conducted at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a rally addressed by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) State convener D.G. Sagar led a protest march in Kalaburagi city on Friday.
The protest was part of a State-wide agitation organised by the DSS at all district headquarters, condemning the alleged purification rituals.
Dr. Sagar, along with DSS members carrying blue flags and photographs of Mr. Kharge, marched from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, raising slogans against the incident.
Addressing the protesters, Dr. Sagar said the reported purification of the venue after Mr. Kharge’s visit was an affront to the dignity of the Dalit community and exposed the persistence of caste discrimination.
“Purifying a public place after a Dalit leader addresses a gathering is not merely an insult to Mallikarjun Kharge; it is an insult to the entire Dalit community and a reflection of the deep-rooted caste discrimination that continues to exist in society,” he said.
He said the incident showed that constitutional values of equality and social justice had not yet fully permeated society.
“The Constitution has abolished untouchability and guarantees equality, but such incidents reveal that the mindset of untouchability is still alive. No place becomes impure because a Dalit leader or any member of a marginalised community visits it,” Dr. Sagar said.
He urged the authorities and political leaders to condemn such practices and to take steps to ensure that incidents of caste-based discrimination do not recur.
“Those who believe that a place needs to be purified after the visit of a Dalit leader must first purify their own minds of caste prejudice,” he said.
The DSS members demanded stringent action against those responsible for the alleged ritual and urged the government to create greater awareness about constitutional values and the need to eradicate caste discrimination.
Published - August 21, 2026 07:43 pm IST