IOC USA condemns FIR against Rahul Gandhi over Haldwani purification remarks

The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA has strongly condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on an alleged religious purification ritual, calling the move “deeply troubling”. In a statement, IOC USA president Mohinder Singh Gilzian said the FIR appeared to be an attempt to intimidate those who speak against caste discrimination and untouchability.

The organisation also sought “full accountability” from the Uttarakhand authorities over the registration and handling of the FIR, and asked the state government to ensure an “independent, transparent and impartial examination of the circumstances” surrounding the incident. The political row began after some individuals allegedly performed a ‘purification yajna’ at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 11, after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a public meeting there on August 8.

The FIR was registered against Gandhi on a complaint alleging that he gave a casteist spin to the religious ritual held in Haldwani. On August 29, Gandhi had sought an FIR against those responsible for the alleged ritual and demanded action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, describing the incident as an example of untouchability and discrimination. An FIR was registered against him the following day over those remarks.

Strongly criticising the action, Gilzian said, “The FIR against Rahul Gandhi is deeply troubling and appears to be an attempt to intimidate those who speak against caste discrimination and untouchability.” He said that instead of investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged purification ritual and addressing the concerns raised by the Congress leadership, the authorities had chosen to target the person who questioned it. “This sends a disturbing message about the shrinking space for speaking against caste-based discrimination in India,” he said.

Gilzian said the issue was far bigger than one political leader or one political party, adding that the “dignity and equality of Dalits and other historically marginalised communities are constitutional principles that cannot be compromised for political convenience”. He said, “India’s Constitution abolished untouchability and guarantees equality before the law. Any practice that humiliates a person because of their caste must be questioned, regardless of who is involved. Raising such concerns cannot itself become a criminal offence.”

He also criticised what he described as a “selective approach” to law enforcement and said authorities should investigate all allegations “fairly and without political pressure”. “If an allegation of caste-based discrimination has been made, the appropriate response is an impartial investigation -- not an FIR designed to silence the political opposition. The law must apply equally to everyone. There cannot be one standard for those in power and another for those who challenge discrimination,” he said. He added, “The Indian Constitution is the greatest safeguard against caste discrimination, untouchability and social exclusion. Those who raise their voice for equality should not be intimidated. Indian Overseas Congress USA stands firmly with the constitutional values of equality, dignity, fraternity and justice.”

The organisation said, “Those responsible for using the criminal justice system to suppress legitimate questions about caste discrimination must be held accountable,” and added, “No government, police authority or public institution should be permitted to weaponise the law to intimidate political leaders or silence voices challenging caste-based discrimination.” It also urged political leaders across party lines to reject caste discrimination, untouchability and any practice that humiliates or excludes citizens based on caste. In its statement, IOC USA reiterated its opposition to the FIR, demanded an independent examination of the incident in Haldwani, and said concerns over caste-based discrimination must be addressed through a fair inquiry.

With PTI Inputs