Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over what he calls glaring “double standards” in its response to a controversial purification ritual in Uttarakhand and the subsequent legal action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Key facts

  • A purification ritual was performed on the stage where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge spoke in Haldwani, Uttarakhand.
  • An FIR was filed against Rahul Gandhi for questioning the incident.
  • Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt defended the ritual.
  • Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy condemned both actions as reflective of a “casteist and regressive mindset.”

Context of the Controversy

The incident unfolded after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting in Haldwani. His speech, focused on governance and public issues, made no reference to religion or community. Yet, shortly after, a purification havan was conducted on the very same stage—a move Reddy described as not just a personal insult to Kharge, but an affront to the dignity of millions of Dalits.

Political Reactions and FIR

Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the ritual drew an immediate FIR, escalating tensions. Reddy didn’t hold back in his support for Gandhi, emphasizing that no number of legal actions would deter the Congress from opposing what he termed the BJP’s “politics of caste discrimination, hatred, and intimidation.” He accused law enforcement in BJP-ruled states of being weaponized to silence opposition voices.

Defense and Condemnation

Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt’s defense of the ritual only fueled the fire. Reddy called the justification a clear reflection of what he labeled the “casteist and regressive mindset” pervasive within the BJP-RSS ecosystem. The minister’s statement underscored a deepening political rift, framing the event as symbolic of broader social and ideological battles.

“No number of FIRs can deter Mr. Rahul Gandhi or the Congress Party from fighting the BJP’s politics of caste discrimination, hatred and intimidation,”

Reddy’s words carried a mix of defiance and concern, rooted in a firm belief that constitutional rights and dignity are under threat. His condemnation, issued on September 1, 2026, adds to a growing chorus of voices challenging the ruling party’s approach to social and political dissent.