SC 57 MBSC Caste Rights Protection Forum Demands FIR Against Mahendra Bhatt, Others
Hyderabad: Bairi Venkatesham, National Founder-President of the SC 57 MBSC Caste Rights Protection Forum, has lodged a complaint at the Khairatabad Police Station in Hyderabad over an alleged “purification ritual” reportedly conducted following a public meeting attended by Congress national president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
In his complaint, Venkatesham urged the police to register an FIR and initiate legal action against Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt and others, treating the alleged incident as a cognisable offence under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
According to the complaint, after a public meeting attended by Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, on August 8, 2026, some BJP workers allegedly conducted a “purification ritual” at the same venue. Venkatesham said he came to know about the incident through media reports and social media posts.
He alleged that the ritual was conducted in a manner suggesting that the place had been “polluted” by the presence of a prominent leader belonging to a Scheduled Caste. Such an act, he said, was contrary to constitutional values and the principles of equality.
Venkatesham further alleged that comments made by Mahendra Bhatt while defending the alleged ritual before the media appeared to promote caste-based discriminatory attitudes.
He said such actions undermine the dignity of members of Scheduled Castes and could amount to an attempt to promote untouchability.
The complaint sought action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as well as applicable provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Venkatesham also urged the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation by collecting video recordings related to the incident, media reports, social media evidence and statements from eyewitnesses. “Constitutionally guaranteed rights to equality must be protected against caste-based discrimination. Legal action must be taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” Venkatesham said.
