Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks alleging the continued prevalence of caste-based untouchability in North India. Dhami questioned Gandhi's assertion that practices such as using separate cups for different sections of society remain widespread, and accused the Leader of Opposition of raising the issue with an eye on electoral gains.

Gandhi had referred to the alleged "two-cup system" during a press briefing in Delhi last month, presenting it as an example of continuing caste-based discrimination in villages and cities across North India. He argued that marginalised communities continue to face social prejudices and cited other alleged practices, including restricted access to village wells and difficulties during wedding processions.

Responding to the remarks, Dhami questioned whether such practices accurately represented the situation on the ground. Speaking to reporters, he referred to Gandhi's observation about disposable and glass cups being associated with different sections of society and asked whether shopkeepers routinely seek customers' names or caste before serving tea or food. Dhami maintained that Gandhi's description did not reflect the broader reality.

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The Uttarakhand Chief Minister also accused the Congress leader of using such issues to attract voters rather than addressing them through ground-level work. Dhami argued that political support must be earned through work and criticised previous Congress governments while pointing to repeated electoral defeats suffered by the party.

The BJP has separately targeted Gandhi over the remarks, describing the controversy as "paper cup politics" and accusing the Congress of attempting to introduce political divisions into everyday social interactions. The exchange has added to the wider political debate over caste, social discrimination and the manner in which such issues are raised during political campaigns and public discussions.

The controversy also comes against the backdrop of a separate political dispute in Uttarakhand involving an alleged "Shuddhikaran" or purification ritual at the Ram Leela Maidan in Haldwani following a public meeting addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge last month. The latest developments have kept caste-related allegations and political responses in focus in the state.

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