Congress lawmakers from the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes (SC/ST) communities have decided to hand over a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the 'purification' incident in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani following a rally addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, people aware of the matter said on Monday. The incident, which involved a ritual described as 'shuddikaran,' took place three days after Kharge addressed a public meeting at the venue. The MPs, who are part of the party, have formed a joint strategy to address the issue, with 32 SC and ST MPs holding a meeting at the Congress’s headquarters to plan their next steps.

The MPs described the incident as a grave assault on the dignity and self-respect of SCs and STs and a direct affront to the constitutional values of equality and abolition of untouchability. They have decided to form a parliamentary forum to fight this at all levels and will be submitting a representation to the President of India on Tuesday. Lok Sabha member Mallu Ravi said the group has sought time from President Murmu to submit a memorandum regarding the purification incident, requesting her intervention in the matter. He added that they want the President to instruct the government to act on the issue, which they claim is illegal.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had previously condemned the incident and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an FIR against those involved in the 'shuddikaran' of the Ramlila ground at Haldwani. He argued that the act was a direct affront to the constitutional values of equality and that it reflected the mindset of the BJP and RSS. The alleged ritual was held on August 11, three days after Kharge addressed a public meeting at the venue, but details of the event, including the nature of the ritual and the individuals involved, remain unclear.

The meeting was chaired by Congress leader K Raju, who also attended alongside Rajendra Pal Gautam. The group has decided to constitute a parliamentary forum to take up issues concerning SC and ST communities. The MPs have finalised a memorandum seeking the President’s intervention and appropriate action. The incident has sparked internal debate within the Congress party, with some members calling for stronger action against those responsible, while others have not commented publicly.

What remains unknown is the exact nature of the purification ritual, the number of participants, and the legal basis for the allegations. The police have not issued any statement confirming or denying the incident, and no FIR has been registered as of yet. The Congress party has not provided further details on the memorandum they plan to submit to the President, nor has it clarified the legal grounds for their demand. The situation remains under investigation, with the party seeking to use the President’s office to pressure the government into taking action.