📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Himanshu Arya Khowal
Politics
Rahul Gandhi Booked Under SC/ST Act Over Uttarakhand Ritual Remarks
✍️ Swarajya
🗓 31 Aug 2026, 12:39 PM
👁 23
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act after making controversial remarks about a religious ritual in Uttarakhand, reports say.
According to a report by Swarajya, the Uttarakhand police have registered a case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act following his comments on a local religious ritual. The filing marks a legal escalation after the leader’s statements drew criticism from community groups and political opponents.
Gandhi’s remarks, which were interpreted as disparaging a traditional ceremony practiced in the state, prompted protests and calls for action from organisations representing scheduled castes and tribes. Authorities said the comments appeared to insult the dignity of these communities, thereby invoking provisions of the SC/ST Act.
The SC/ST Act criminalises speech that is deemed to vilify or humiliate members of scheduled castes or tribes, with penalties that can include imprisonment. Legal experts note that the case will proceed through the regular judicial process, and any conviction could result in a custodial sentence.
The Congress party has not issued a detailed statement on the development, while opposition parties have urged a swift investigation. The incident adds to the growing political tension surrounding caste‑related issues in the region.
Gandhi’s remarks, which were interpreted as disparaging a traditional ceremony practiced in the state, prompted protests and calls for action from organisations representing scheduled castes and tribes. Authorities said the comments appeared to insult the dignity of these communities, thereby invoking provisions of the SC/ST Act.
The SC/ST Act criminalises speech that is deemed to vilify or humiliate members of scheduled castes or tribes, with penalties that can include imprisonment. Legal experts note that the case will proceed through the regular judicial process, and any conviction could result in a custodial sentence.
The Congress party has not issued a detailed statement on the development, while opposition parties have urged a swift investigation. The incident adds to the growing political tension surrounding caste‑related issues in the region.