Row erupts over 'shuddhikaran' after Mallikarjun Kharge's rally in Haldwani; Congress, BJP trade charges

A heated political clash erupted between Congress and BJP over a controversial purification ceremony. Congress accused a BJP-affiliated group of conducting the rituals based on Mallikarjun Kharge's caste, to which the BJP retaliated, claiming such allegations were aimed at defaming them. The BJP further asserted that slogans used during the rally hurt religious sentiments, fueling a back-and-forth over caste and political motivations.