Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday, 3 September sharply criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on alleged caste-based untouchability in North India, accusing the Congress leader of making such statements purely to court voters ahead of elections. Dhami's remarks came in response to Gandhi's claim that a 'two-cup system' — the alleged use of separate cups for different sections of society — reflected continuing, systematic caste discrimination in villages and cities across the region.

What Rahul Gandhi Said

Gandhi had raised the issue during a press briefing in Delhi last month, arguing that caste-based discrimination and social prejudices persist against marginalised communities. He cited the 'two-cup system' as a concrete example, and also referred to claims of restricted access to village wells and difficulties faced by marginalised communities during wedding processions. The Congress leader framed these as evidence of entrenched untouchability in everyday public life across North India.

Dhami's Rebuttal

Speaking to reporters in Dehradun, CM Dhami questioned the factual basis of Gandhi's assertions. 'Rahul Gandhi was also saying that disposable glasses are meant for one section of our society, while glass glasses are meant for another section. Everyone must have travelled across the country and visited different places. Has any shopkeeper ever asked your name or caste before serving you tea or food?' he said.

Dhami went further, alleging that the Leader of Opposition raises such issues with a singular electoral motive. 'I think such statements are being made only and only for votes, whereas one has to work for votes. If you or your earlier governments had worked, the people of the country would not have defeated you hundreds of times and shown you the way out hundreds of times. Now you are making such statements that have no connection with the ground reality. That is why the people have completely pulled the ground out from under your feet,' he added.

BJP's Broader Response

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also strongly condemned Gandhi's remarks, dismissing the issue as 'paper cup politics' and accusing the Indian National Congress of attempting to manufacture social divisions in routine public interactions for political gain. The party's pushback signals a coordinated effort to reframe Gandhi's narrative as divisive rather than reform-driven.

The 'Shuddhikaran' Controversy in the Background

The exchange unfolds against a charged political backdrop. Last month, an alleged 'Shuddhikaran' (purification ritual) was reportedly conducted at Ram Leela Maidan in Haldwani following a public meeting addressed by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge — an incident that has further intensified the debate over caste prejudice in Uttarakhand. Critics argue the episode lends credence to Gandhi's broader point, while the BJP has sought to distance the state administration from the incident.

With both parties staking out sharply opposing positions on caste discrimination, the political contest over this narrative is likely to intensify as electoral cycles draw closer.