Haldwani: Amid the ongoing controversy over a purification ceremony in Haldwani, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has hit out at the Congress, saying that the party has no facts or evidence to establish that the purification was carried out with the intention of humiliating any individual. He alleged that attempts were being made to create confusion and division in society by unnecessarily escalating a sensitive issue.
The Chief Minister said that instead of giving such issues a political spin for electoral gains, the Congress should present its arguments on the basis of facts and evidence. Appealing to all concerned to shoulder the responsibility of keeping society united, he said, “Purification did take place, but there was no purification of caste.”
In connection with the matter, a case has also been registered at Haldwani Kotwali on the complaint of Congress worker Anju. The police have registered the case under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Manjunath T.C. has handed over the investigation to Superintendent of Police (Crime) Jagdish Chandra.
According to the Senior Superintendent of Police, 80 complaints and petitions had been received from across Uttarakhand in connection with the matter, including 19 complaints from Nainital district. Following legal scrutiny, a case was registered on the basis of Anju’s complaint. The police are now investigating the matter in detail.
