Our Bureau
New York, NY
Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of Indian Overseas Congress USA, strongly condemns the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning the alleged “purification” ritual conducted at the Haldwani venue following Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally.
Mohinder Singh 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. Instead of investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged purification ritual and addressing the concerns raised by the Congress leadership, the authorities have 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.”
Gilzian said that the issue is much larger than one political leader or one political party. The dignity and equality of Dalits and other historically marginalised communities are constitutional principles that cannot be compromised for political convenience.
“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,” Gilzian said.
He further criticized what he described as a selective approach to law enforcement, arguing that 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 added.
Gilzian expressed solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and all those working to uphold constitutional equality and social justice.
“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,” Gilzian said.
Indian Overseas Congress USA demands full accountability from the Uttarakhand authorities for the registration and handling of this FIR. The government must ensure an independent, transparent and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the alleged purification ritual and make public the basis on which criminal action was initiated against Rahul Gandhi. Those responsible for using the criminal justice system to suppress legitimate questions about caste discrimination must be held accountable.
No government, police authority or public institution should be permitted to weaponize the law to intimidate political leaders or silence voices challenging caste-based discrimination. We demand that the Uttarakhand government demonstrate that the law is being applied equally and without political influence.
Indian Overseas Congress USA calls upon political leaders across party lines to reject caste discrimination, untouchability and any practice that humiliates or excludes citizens on the basis of caste. Accountability cannot stop with the filing of an FIR; there must also be accountability for those who enable, defend or misuse state power to suppress the fight for equality and constitutional rights.