The Congress party has condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, but says the "real issue" is something else entirely — why the Uttarakhand BJP government has not booked those accused of carrying out the alleged "shuddhikaran" of a stage used by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani.
Congress Leaders Question FIR Against Rahul Gandhi
Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Kumari Selja, and Pawan Khera have questioned the action against Rahul Gandhi. They accuse the BJP of promptly booking a leader who spoke against the alleged act, while taking no action against those accused of carrying it out.
The party's response suggests they see this as a pattern of targeting opposition leaders rather than addressing the underlying issue. The Congress leaders are asking a pointed question: why is there an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for speaking up, but no case against the people who allegedly performed the "shuddhikaran"?
'Stop Making an Issue Out of the FIR'
The Congress party's message is clear — they want the focus shifted from the FIR against Rahul Gandhi to the alleged act itself. The party is pushing back against what they see as a distraction from the real controversy.
"Stop making an issue out of the FIR against Rahul ji. When a person against whom the BJP has filed 40-50 cases across the country has one more FIR lodged against him, what difference does it make. The real issue isn't the FIR against..." — Congress leaders
This statement highlights the party's frustration. They point out that Rahul Gandhi already faces dozens of cases across the country, so one more FIR is not the real story. The real story, according to them, is the alleged "shuddhikaran" and the lack of action against those responsible.
What Is the 'Shuddhikaran' Controversy?
The controversy centers on an alleged act of "shuddhikaran" — a term that refers to a purification ritual — performed on a stage used by Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani. The Congress party views this as a deliberate act of disrespect against their party president.
The party's argument is straightforward: if the act was offensive enough to warrant an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for speaking about it, then it should also warrant action against those who allegedly carried it out. The Congress is demanding equal treatment under the law.
Our Take: The Real Issue Is Accountability
To put it plainly, the Congress party has a point. If the alleged "shuddhikaran" was a serious offense, then the people who performed it should face consequences. If it was not a serious offense, then why is Rahul Gandhi being booked for speaking about it?
The party's strategy here is clear — they are trying to flip the narrative. Instead of defending Rahul Gandhi against yet another FIR, they are asking a more uncomfortable question: why is the BJP government in Uttarakhand protecting those accused of the act while targeting the leader who spoke against it?
This is not just about one FIR or one political leader. It is about whether the law is being applied equally to everyone. The Congress is essentially challenging the BJP to either book the accused or explain why they have not been booked. Either way, the party is putting the spotlight back on the original controversy.
For readers, this is a story about political accountability and the selective application of justice. The Congress is asking a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer.