Siddaramaiah Accuses BJP Of Political Plot Against Rahul Gandhi

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP and the central government of attempting to weaken Rahul Gandhi politically. He made the allegation during a Congress protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The demonstration was organised to oppose the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi under the SC ST Act in connection with his remarks about an alleged purification ritual in Uttarakhand. The protest was led by KPCC president B K Hariprasad.

Addressing party workers, Siddaramaiah said the case against Rahul Gandhi was an attempt to silence a prominent opposition voice. He alleged that the central government and the BJP were looking for ways to create political difficulties for the Congress leader.

The controversy began after a location where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had delivered a speech in Uttarakhand was reportedly subjected to a purification exercise. Rahul Gandhi questioned the incident, which Congress leaders have described as an issue involving constitutional values and social equality.

Siddaramaiah said the Constitution abolished untouchability and questioned why such an incident should occur decades after India gained independence. He argued that the issue was not limited to Kharge personally and claimed that the incident had wider implications for the Dalit community.

According to Siddaramaiah, Rahul Gandhi had only questioned what had happened at the location and had not committed an offence. He argued that if the alleged purification activity violated the law, the authorities should examine the actions of those responsible rather than registering a case against the person who raised questions about it.

Siddaramaiah also defended Rahul Gandhi’s position on the Constitution and social equality. He said the Congress leader has consistently spoken against untouchability and in favour of constitutional rights.

The former Chief Minister further referred to the earlier controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s membership in the Lok Sabha. He alleged that the Congress leader had previously faced political and legal action after strongly criticising the central government and claimed that the latest case was part of a continuing effort to restrict his political activities.

Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of using government institutions to put pressure on opposition leaders. He said Congress would not remain silent over the latest FIR and urged party workers to continue raising the issue through protests.

He also called on Congress workers to organise demonstrations at district and taluk levels. According to Siddaramaiah, the party needs to collectively oppose what it considers an attack on constitutional principles and democratic rights.

During his speech, Siddaramaiah strongly criticised the BJP government and accused it of acting against the spirit of the Constitution. He said Congress would continue to stand with Rahul Gandhi and defend what the party considers his right to question issues of public concern.

The remarks come amid a wider political confrontation between the Congress and BJP over the Uttarakhand incident and the FIR against Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders have described the case as politically motivated, while the legal proceedings will determine the allegations and the responsibility of the parties involved.

The Freedom Park protest brought together Congress leaders and workers in Bengaluru as the party sought to turn the issue into a broader debate about constitutional values, social equality and the treatment of opposition voices.3