By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Oct: Political tensions appeared to have escalated in Uttarakhand over a controversial statement allegedly made by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, in which he has reportedly referred to people from Uttarakhand as infiltrators. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today strongly criticised the Samajwadi Party chief, describing the alleged remark as an insult to the self-respect of Devbhoomi and the sacrifices made during the struggle for a separate Uttarakhand state. In a tweet posted on his X Account, Dhami asserted that the people of Uttarakhand would never tolerate such remarks. Taking the opportunity to target the Congress as well, Dhami questioned whether the party endorsed the statement made by its political ally and whether it accepted the characterisation of people from Uttarakhand as infiltrators. He said the Congress owed an explanation to the people of Devbhoomi.
Referring to the history of the Uttarakhand statehood movement, Dhami said the people of the state have not forgotten that when Akhilesh Yadav‘s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the police had opened fire on activists who were demanding a separate Uttarakhand state at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar. The statehood agitators had faced atrocities during the incident, he pointed out. The CM reminded that while during the rule of SP in undivided UP, bullets were fired at Uttarakhand‘s statehood activists during his father’s tenure, the son (Akhilesh Yadav) is now calling the people of Uttarakhand infiltrators. The people of Uttarakhand can never forget their struggle and sacrifices.
In addition, the CM also mounted a strong attack on the Congress over the controversy, questioning whether it supported the statement of its political ally. He asked whether the Congress endorses the statement made by its political ally Akhilesh Yadav? Does it accept calling the people of Uttarakhand infiltrators? The Congress must answer to the people of Devbhoomi.
The controversy arose after Akhilesh Yadav allegedly made the remarks in reference to people originally belonging to Uttarakhand who are residing in Uttar Pradesh. Following the reported statement, the BJP has stepped up its attack on both the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.
Meanwhile, BJP state spokesperson Mathura Dutt Joshi also strongly condemned the alleged remarks, describing them as highly unfortunate and accusing Akhilesh Yadav of hurting the sentiments of the people of Uttarakhand. Recalling the 1994 statehood movement, Joshi recalled that Akhilesh Yadav‘s father had been responsible for the police firing on people of Uttarakhand during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. He also referred to the atrocities committed against women during the movement, saying that the alleged remarks by Akhilesh Yadav had further aggravated the hurt and resentment among the people of the state.
Joshi warned that such statements can have serious consequences and said Akhilesh Yadav should be prepared to face the reaction of the people of Uttarakhand. He announced that protests would be organised across the state against the alleged remarks and that effigies of the Samajwadi Party chief would be burnt as part of the demonstrations.
