Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 May: Holding copies of the Constitution in their hands, 18-year-old journalism student and hunger striker Parth Raturi, along with former IAS officer Vinod Prasad Raturi, took an oath that they would not step back until Uttarakhand gets a permanent capital; the agitation has received support from former chief ministers, ex-ministers, and a sitting Congress MLA.
Even after two-and-a-half decades since the formation of Uttarakhand, the issue of a permanent capital remains unresolved, exposing what protesters describe as the political drama of both the BJP and Congress. Today, 18-year-old journalism student Parth Raturi, under the leadership of former IAS officer Vinod Prasad Raturi, launched a second phase of indefinite relay hunger strike, calling it a constitutional awakening against successive governments.
At the protest site, both held copies of the Constitution of India and took a historic pledge that they would not retreat “even an inch” in the face of government pressure until an official notification declaring a permanent capital is issued. The scale of the movement became evident as several former chief ministers, former ministers, sitting Congress legislators, political parties, and social organisations reached the venue to openly extend their support, reportedly causing unease within the ruling establishment.
Known for his sharp, satirical style, journalism student Parth Raturi launched a fierce attack on both national parties, accusing them of playing a “musical chairs” game over the capital issue for the last 25 years while enjoying power alternately. He alleged that policies in Uttarakhand have been shaped not by public sentiment but by property syndicates and influential lobbies operating from air-conditioned offices in Dehradun.
Raturi further remarked, “Today, ministers and officials, living comfortably on taxpayers’ money, have started believing they are kings of this state. But they forget that in a democracy, the real king are the people, and we will break this feudal arrogance.”
Referring to constitutional principles, he stated that Article 14 guarantees equality to every citizen, but the development model pursued by successive governments has disproportionately benefited the plains while leaving the hill regions to suffer from migration and abandoned “ghost villages”, which he described as a betrayal of the spirit of the Constitution. He also cited Article 3, arguing that the very regional aspirations under which Uttarakhand was created have been buried under endless committees and bureaucratic files.
Taking another swipe at the political class, Raturi said history shows that the Taj Mahal was completed in just 22 years, while Uttarakhand’s leaders have failed to even install a permanent capital signboard in 25 years. He dismissed government claims surrounding schemes and policy reports as hollow, alleging that the ground reality remains unchanged.
He further alleged that political leaders are afraid to hold the Constitution in their hands because “their conscience begins to shake the moment they touch it”, accusing them of surrendering before land mafia and vested interests.
Having already organised more than 56 protests, with the movement now expanding into what supporters call a mass public agitation, Parth Raturi warned that the relay hunger strike would continue until the government officially notifies a permanent capital for Uttarakhand. He added that, if governments continue to ignore public sentiment, the youth of the state would not hesitate to completely reshape the political landscape.
