CM Dhami vows to continue anti-encroachment efforts, asserting his government will not allow ‘land jihad’ in Uttarakhand’s Devbhoomi.

Nainital: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has escalated his invective against the Congress, alleging that the opposition party is ‘disturbed’ by his government’s persistent efforts to address what he terms ‘land jihad’ in the hill state. Speaking at a public event, CM Dhami accused the Congress of supporting individuals engaged in unlawful land encroachment and of “disrupting the demographic balance” of Uttarakhand’s Devbhoomi by enabling the settlement of a “specific community” in areas where they previously had “no presence, no history.”

Dhami asserted that although his administration is taking measures to address illegal encroachments on government property, the Congress remains uneasy with these actions. According to him, the opposition appears to favor those involved in land jihad and becomes displeased whenever the administration takes action against encroachers.

We will not accept any form of land jihad in Devbhoomi.

Reaffirming a firm stance, Chief Minister Dhami pledged to sustain the anti-encroachment efforts without retreat. He stated that his government would not permit religious justifications to serve as a defense for the unlawful occupation of property within the state. Dhami stated that all such structures constructed on encroached government land would be dismantled:

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami assured that his government \u201cwill not permit this land jihad to be conducted in the name of religion in Devbhoomi.\u201d Dhami further stated that the government “will not cease efforts until all such structures have been completely demolished.”

Also read;  Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Announces PRD Training Institute and Welfare Boost

Dhami emphasized that the current campaign against illicit encroachment “will persist” despite opposition criticism. The Chief Minister also observed that whenever authorities take action against individuals who illegally occupy government land by displaying green, yellow, and blue cloth, it results in significant difficulties for Congress leaders, implying that the symbolic use of colored cloth is being utilized to assert or conceal such encroachments.

Claim: More than 7,000 acres reclaimed from ‘land jihad’

Referring to previous measures implemented by his administration, Dhami recollected that in July he had launched a significant campaign targeting what he characterized as a “well-organized land jihad” network in Uttarakhand.

He stated, “The state has implemented strict measures against groups purportedly engaged in the systematic occupation of valuable government land.” Over 7,000 acres of government land have reportedly been reclaimed from ‘land jihadis’ as part of this operation.

Dhami claimed that this ‘land jihad syndicate’ had been encroaching upon prime land ‘without any fear’ by displaying green, blue, or yellow cloth to mark or safeguard these locations.

Political and communal undertones

Dhami’s remarks introduce a more pronounced political and communal dimension to the already intense discourse surrounding land encroachment and demographic shifts in Uttarakhand. By consistently employing the term “land jihad” and alleging that Congress is “disrupting the demography” of the state, the Chief Minister has contextualized the encroachment matter within a broader ideological and religious struggle. The Congress, for its part, has previously alleged that the BJP administrations employ such terminology to polarize society and discriminate against minorities under the pretext of maintaining law and order.

As the anti-encroachment campaign proceeds, the political dispute regarding its purpose, techniques, and effects—particularly on certain communities—is expected to intensify further in the lead-up to upcoming elections in the state.