KPCC chief Hariprasad condemns FIR against Rahul Gandhi, calls it ‘grave injustice’
Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad on Wednesday condemned the FIR registered by Uttarakhand Police against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, calling it a “grave injustice” and alleging that the action was ‘politically motivated’.
Speaking at a protest organised at Freedom Park in Bengaluru against the FIR, Hariprasad said Rahul Gandhi had committed no wrongdoing and had merely questioned the alleged “purification” of a place where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had delivered a speech in Uttarakhand.
“Rahul Gandhi has not committed any mistake, yet a case has been registered against him. This is a grave injustice,” he added.
He alleged that the place where Kharge had delivered his speech was subsequently subjected to a purification ritual and said questioning such a practice could not be treated as an offence.
“Purifying a place where a speech was delivered is against the Constitution. The Constitution does not permit untouchability. Therefore, this amounts to an affront to the Constitution,” he added.
Hariprasad said the incident was not merely an insult to Kharge but also to Rahul Gandhi, who holds the constitutional position of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
“What mistake has Rahul Gandhi committed? He only questioned the purification of the place. For this, a case related to atrocities against Dalits has been registered against him. This is extremely unfortunate,” he added.
According to Hariprasad, those practising untouchability should face action under the Constitution, rather than Rahul Gandhi for questioning such a practice.
He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was deliberately targeting Rahul Gandhi and attempting to silence him.
“It appears that the BJP has decided that Rahul Gandhi’s voice must be silenced by any means,” Hariprasad said, recalling earlier instances when cases were registered against the Leader of Opposition after he criticised the Union government in Parliament.
He also alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha membership had earlier been cancelled in connection with a case and that he subsequently obtained relief from the court.
Hariprasad said Rahul Gandhi stood firmly with the Constitution and against untouchability, while accusing the BJP of acting contrary to Constitutional values.
“The BJP has no faith in the Constitution. Registering a case against Rahul Gandhi is a grave offence. This cannot be tolerated,” he added.
Calling for protests across Karnataka, Hariprasad said the BJP was “unfit to remain in power” and asserted that the Congress would stand with Rahul Gandhi and strengthen his fight.
