IOC-USA Condemns FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Calls It ‘Deeply Troubling’

New York: The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA has strongly condemned the registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning a religious ritual, terming the action as "deeply troubling".

The FIR was registered against Gandhi on a complaint that the Congress leader gave a casteist spin to the religious ritual held in Uttarakhand's Haldwani following a public meeting by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge last month.

"The FIR against Rahul Gandhi is deeply troubling and appears to be an attempt to intimidate those who speak against caste discrimination and untouchability," Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of Indian Overseas Congress USA, said in a statement.

Strongly condemning the registration of the FIR, Gilzian said that 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," he said.

Stating that the issue is much larger than one political leader or one political party, Gilzian said 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," he said.

He criticised 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.

"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.

The IOC-USA demanded "full accountability" from the Uttarakhand authorities for the registration and handling of the FIR and asked the state government to ensure an "independent, transparent and impartial examination of the circumstances" surrounding the incident.

"Those responsible for using the criminal justice system to suppress legitimate questions about caste discrimination must be held accountable," the organisation said.

"No government, police authority or public institution should be permitted to weaponise the law to intimidate political leaders or silence voices challenging caste-based discrimination," it added.

It also urged political leaders across party lines to reject caste discrimination, untouchability and any practice that humiliates or excludes citizens based on caste.

A political row erupted after some individuals allegedly performed a 'purification yajna' at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 11, after Kharge held a public meeting there on August 8.

On August 29, Gandhi sought an FIR against those responsible and demanded action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, describing the incident as an example of untouchability and discrimination.

An FIR was registered against Gandhi the following day over his remarks.