Dehradun, Sept. 1 -- Political tensions flared in Uttarakhand on Tuesday as State Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal led a massive protest march toward the Secretariat, condemning a 'purification' ritual conducted after party president Mallikarjun Kharge's August 8 rally in Haldwani.

Accompanied by AICC co-in-charges Surendra Sharma and Manoj Yadav, along with hundreds of party workers, Godiyal attempted to stage a gherao of the Secretariat. Heavy police deployment was made to disperse the demonstrators, and several workers were detained as they shouted slogans.

The controversy stems from the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, where Congress has alleged a purification ritual was performed following Kharge's address. Congress leaders have vehemently...