Congress leaders, workers stage protest in Shivamogga, condemn FIR against Rahul Gandhi

The Shivamogga district unit of the Congress staging a protest in Shivamogga on Tuesday (September 1). | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh The Shivamogga district unit of the Congress staged a protest in the city on Tuesday (September 1), condemning the registration of an FIR against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Uttarakhand over his remarks on an alleged “purification” ceremony held at Haldwani ground following a public rally addressed by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.Party workers and leaders, led by District Congress Committee (DCC) president R. Prasanna Kumar, gathered at Mahaveer Circle in the city, raised slogans against the BJP, condemned the alleged “purification” ceremony, and criticised the Uttarakhand government.Mr. Kumar said the purification ceremony was a criminal act targeting Dalits, and that the Congress had demanded an FIR against those who conducted the ritual. Instead of acting on that demand, he alleged, the Uttarakhand government had booked a case against Mr. Gandhi for raising the issue.Karnataka State Textile Infrastructure Development Corporation chairman K. Chetan and office-bearers of the DCC participated in the protest. Published - September 01, 2026 06:40 pm IST