New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- A political slugfest has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over a 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ceremony held at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani following a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.

The row rocked the Parliament on Thursday when Kharge addressed the chair accusing the BJP of being behind the 'purification.'

"In that public meeting, I did not mention the name of any caste or religion, I only spoke about the problems of the people. But with great sorrow, I have to say that after my speech, BJP people performed a havan there and carried out the purification of that stage. Is this the way democracy works? How are you protecting the Constitution...