Won't Tolerate 'Land Jihad' In Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday (7 April) said that the 'land jihad' would not be tolerated in the state.

Addressing a gathering in Nainital district's Kaladungi, Dhami assured the public that tough action would be taken against encroachments.

The Uttarakhand CM said that the government was not against anyone, but would not allow any illegal activity to take place in the state.

Dhami further said, "It has been found that at more than 1,000 locations, either a 'mazaar' or other such illegal structures have been constructed. When these locations are dug up, no remains are found".

"Such acts of encroachment would not be allowed," he added.

"Hum land jihad ko aage nahi badhne denge, kyunki hum kanoon par vishwas rakhne wale log hain (We will not let land jihad succeed, as we have faith in rule of law)," Dhami was quoted as saying in a Times of India report.

Referring to the issue of population imbalance in specific areas, Dhami announced that special drives would be carried out to tackle this issue.

He said that the government had already taken a tough stance on many issues and would continue to do so, assuring the public that illegal activities and corruption would not be tolerated.

"We have taken a tough stand in many matters and will continue to do so. Let me assure you that we will not sit silent till the time such illegal activities and corruption are ended,” Dhami said.

In March this year, 26 mazaars - which had allegedly been constructed illegally on government land - were demolished in Uttarakhand.

Ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, Dhami had announced to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if elected to power.

After the BJP came to power, a five-member panel was established to prepare the UCC draft.

Dhami has reportedly claimed that the UCC would be implemented in Uttarakhand by July 2023.