Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, has escalated his criticism of the Congress, claiming that the opposition party is "troubled" by his government's continuous suppression of what he refers to as "land jihad" in the hill state. Speaking at a public event, Chief Minister Dhami claimed that the Congress supports illegal land encroachment and has "disturbed the demography" of Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand, by allowing a "particular community" to settle in places where they previously had "no trace, no existence."Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has intensified his rhetoric against the Congress, accusing the opposition party of being 'troubled' by his government’s ongoing crackdown on what he calls “land jihad” in the hill state. Speaking at a public event, CM Dhami alleged that Congress stands with those involved in illegal land encroachment and has “disturbed the demography” of Uttarakhand’s Devbhoomi by facilitating the settlement of a “particular community” in areas where they had “no trace, no existence” earlier.
Dhami asserted that although his government is taking action to prevent illegal occupation of government property, the Congress finds these actions unsettling. He claims that the opposition "seems to like" those who participate in "land jihad" and becomes agitated whenever the government takes action against intruders.
"Land jihad in Devbhoomi will not be tolerated."Chief Minister Dhami reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to carrying out the anti-encroachment campaign. He declared that his administration would not permit the unlawful occupation of state land on the basis of religious beliefs. Dhami declared that all such buildings built on government-encroached land would be demolished:
The chief minister of Uttarakhand, Dhami, promised that his government "will not tolerate this land jihad being carried out in the name of religion in Devbhoomi." The government "will not rest until we have razed all such structures to the ground," Dhami continued.
Despite criticism from the opposition, Dhami emphasized that the ongoing campaign against illegal encroachment "will continue." Additionally, the Chief Minister stated that Congress leaders experience "great trouble" whenever authorities take action against individuals who "illegally occupy government land by placing green, yellow, and blue cloth." This suggests that the symbolic use of colored cloth is being used to claim or shield such encroachments.
Claim: More than 7,000 acres were liberated from "land jihad"Dhami recalled that his government had previously launched a significant campaign against what he called a "well-planned land jihad" network in Uttarakhand in July.
"The state has taken 'strict action' against groups allegedly involved in systematically occupying valuable government land," he declared. As part of this campaign, more than 7,000 acres of government land have reportedly been liberated from "land jihadis."
Dhami claimed that by marking or defending these locations with green, blue, or yellow cloth, this "land jihad mafia" had been encroaching on prime land "without any fear."
Overtones of politics and communityDhami's comments give the already contentious discussion about land encroachment and demographic shifts in Uttarakhand a more acute political and communal edge. The Chief Minister has framed the encroachment issue as part of a broader ideological and religious struggle by frequently using the term "land jihad" and accusing Congress of "disrupting the demography" of the state. In the past, the Congress has accused the BJP governments of using such language to target minorities and polarize society under the pretense of maintaining law and order.
The political conflict over the anti-encroachment campaign's goals, strategies, and effects—particularly on particular communities—is expected to intensify in the lead-up to upcoming state elections.