‘We didn’t even know Mallikarjun Kharge ji’s caste’: Newly formed ‘Ram Sena’ whitewashes ‘Shuddhi Yagya’

'We didn't even know Mallikarjun Kharge ji's caste': Newly formed 'Ram Sena' whitewashes 'Shuddhi Yagya' The Haldwani-based outfit claims seven registered members and office-bearers, 11 active workers, no links with any political party.

Key points

• 8 min read Dehradun Sep 7, 2026 06: 57 AM IST First published on: Sep 7, 2026 at 06: 57 AM IST.
• Haldwani Congress MLA Sumit Hridayesh informed The Indian Express: The collusion is quite clear.
• Amit Kumar, a member of the Nyas who belongs to the Dalit Valmiki community, has filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the "shuddhikaran".
• The youngest among the office-bearers is Vijay Fartiyal, 25, originally from Almora but now based in Haldwani.
• Formally registered only in early 2026, the Nyas is described by its office-bearers as a "voluntary" organisation.

Girish Pandey (extreme left) at an event organised by the Nyas along with spiritual leader Gita Manishi. (Express photo). Written by: Vidheesha Kuntamalla.

Notably, an ex-VHP functionary, a former BPO employee, a young B.Com graduate – these are some of the office-bearers of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas, the Haldwani outfit at the centre of the controversy over a "shuddhikaran (purification)" ritual performed at the town's Ramlila Maidan after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's rally there last month.

Formally registered only in early 2026, the Nyas is described by its office-bearers as a "voluntary" organisation. Secretary Ramjee Awasthi puts its numbers at regarding seven registered members and office-bearers, 11 active workers and around 45 volunteers, and states the Nyas depends for its finances on contributions by members and donations.

For context, the organisation denies links to any political party, and among its chief activities, lists running a 'cow ambulance' and funding the education of around five to ten students every year.

In practice, the Indian Express tracked down five of the seven office-bearers of the Nyas. The outfit refused to share details of the other two, saying they did not wish to speak with the media.

Girish Pandey distributing rations on behalf of the Nyas. (Express Photo) Ramjee Awasthi, 42, applied to be the VHP's district 'Seva Pramukh' in 2018-19. An MBA graduate who had a stint working in marketing in Delhi, he notes he now runs his own business in Haldwani.

"I worked in the VHP for a few years before joining the Nyas. We work for the benefit of individuals and are not associated with any organisation or political party, " Awasthi informed The Indian Express.

Girish Pandey, the Nyas president, is additionally 42 and a "businessman". A native of Haldwani, he notes he holds a Bachelor's in Computer Applications degree and worked in Delhi in the BPO sector for some years.

Notably, the idea of setting up the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas came to him during Covid, Pandey notes, "out of concern for animals, the environment and social issues". But, the overriding principle is: "Whatever we do, we will work for Hindu interests."

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally in Haldwani on August 8. (File photo) On political affiliations, Pandey notes: "Whom do I vote for. That is my right to keep it a secret. I owe no direct responsibility to any party or organisation."

According to Pandey, "We did not even know what caste Khargeji belongs to". "The organisation does not ask individuals their caste and we have members from different sections. I myself swept and mopped the ground (where the rally was held) on August 9 and all the members afterwards sat together. Our only aim was to clean the area. Amit, the complainant against Rahul Gandhi, additionally participated in the (purification) ritual."

Amit Kumar, a member of the Nyas who belongs to the Dalit Valmiki community, has filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the "shuddhikaran". The Indian Express reached out to Kumar but received no response.

Another prominent face of the Nyas is Lata Pant, 45, its spokesperson. A Kumaun University graduate at present pursuing a Master's in Social Work, Pant has been tutoring children in nearby villages.

Pant notes the idea of the Nyas had been discussed for a long time, "among people who knew each other locally through social work and gatherings". "We have nothing to do with any party or organisation, " she notes. "We are normal people from normal families with dreams."

Narendra Negi, 43, the Nyas's treasurer, notes he holds a degree in Bachelors of Computer Applications and, till 2021, worked in the human resources section of a firm in Chandigarh. "After I returned to my hometown Haldwani, I started my own business in the sector of Human Resources, " Negi notes, adding that he balances his Nyas responsibilities with his work.

Notably, the outfit grew out of an informal network of individuals already helping others in small ways, he adds. "Girish ji (the president) and I were together in college. The other members are additionally from Haldwani and we know each other. We came together to start the Nyas to support residents, " Negi notes.

Denying any personal or organisational links to the BJP, VHP or RSS, he notes: "Till today, if I speak, it is for myself." The Nyas is the first organisation he has ever been part of, he adds.

For context, the youngest among the office-bearers is Vijay Fartiyal, 25, originally from Almora but now based in Haldwani. He and his cousins run the family's mobile shop.

Meanwhile, a B.Com graduate, Fartiyal notes he joined the Nyas five-six months ago after gathering Pandey. "One day brother (Girish) and I met up, and I felt he was doing good work, doing it for society, doing little things, " he notes, adding that they subsequently exchanged numbers and he signed on for the Nyas.

Notably, the focus on Shuddhikaran was misplaced, notes Fartiyal, talking concerning other activities of the Nyas such as "subsidising or providing wedding essentials like plates and glasses, organising communal festival meals, running an ambulance service, and a plan to help children prepare for competitive exams".

He additionally denies links to any political party, and states the Nyas gets its funds "through society".

While he wants to complete his Master's and expand the family business, Fartiyal notes his aim ultimately is "to be a good person" and to do service. "The rest, wherever God wants to take me."

It began with a WhatsApp message. A day after Kharge's rally on August 8, a message appeared in a group of the Nyas, starting with "Jai Shri Ram" and going on to talk regarding how the Ramlila Maidan was "sacred" and meant for Hindu religious programmes.

As slogans "contrary to Hindu beliefs" had been raised, while the presence of "vidharmiyon (people of another faith)" had violated the sanctity of the place, the Congress gathering, the message alleged, had left Hindu sentiments "deeply hurt".

Then came the announcement: at 11 am the after morning, the Nyas would hold a 'Shuddhi Yagya (Purification Prayer)' to restore the piousness of the place, with a call to residents to assemble and offer aahuti (offering). The next day, the ground was cleaned and a havan performed.

For context, the Congress has called the ritual an example of caste discrimination in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand against Kharge, a Dalit leader. On August 29, Rahul Gandhi remarked at a press conference that the "purification" was an act of untouchability and demanded action under the SC/ST Act.

Notably, the next day, Amit Kumar filed an FIR under the SC/ST Act against Gandhi, accusing him of "defaming" Dalits. Kumar asserted that after Kharge's rally, "a large quantity of garbage and empty liquor bottles" had been identified at Ramlila Maidan, some containing "highly objectionable / impure material". He additionally cited social media videos, showing "objectionable and prima facie jihadi-natured slogans" at the rally.

Notably, the ground was hence cleaned and a havan held to restore its "religious and cultural sanctity", Kumar remarked. It had "no connection whatsoever with the caste of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge or of any other person", he remarked in the FIR, noting that he, a Valmiki, was part of the "purification".

On August 31, the Congress filed a police complaint against Pandey and 15 unidentified others, accusing them of "criminally" conspiring to carry out an "insulting and reprehensible" purification. Police are yet to take note of this complaint.

Haldwani Congress MLA Sumit Hridayesh informed The Indian Express: "The collusion is quite clear. The Congress complaint to the police is not accepted, but an FIR against Rahul Gandhi is conveniently filed."

Police refused to speak regarding the FIR filed against Gandhi, or the Congress demand for action against the Nyas. A senior Uttarakhand police official informed The Indian Express: "We are in the initial stage of investigation into the FIR registered against Gandhi. Different Congress members have given complaints in different formats. We are examining them from a legal standpoint." © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd. Notably, an Award-winning journalist covering the state of Uttarakhand, Vidheesha Kuntamalla.

Taken together, the developments around 'We didn't even know Mallikarjun Kharge ji's caste': Newly formed 'Ram Sena' point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.