Uttarakhand Government Claims Recovery of Over 9,000 Acres

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, announced on March 16, 2024, that more than 9,000 acres of land has been reclaimed from what he referred to as “land jihadis.” This declaration was made during the inauguration ceremony of a new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Roorkee, where he emphasized his government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the region’s land ownership.

During his address, Dhami stated that his administration is taking decisive action to prevent illegal encroachment on government properties. He asserted, “Now, no one will be able to occupy government land by placing a green sheet on it.” This statement reflects broader concerns within the state regarding land ownership and demographic changes.

Pushkar Singh Dhami also highlighted his government’s stringent measures against what he termed “land jihad, love jihad, and spit jihad,” which he claims are efforts to undermine the state’s stability. He noted that, in addition to the land recovery, his government has sealed 250 illegal madrasas and demolished over 500 illegal structures. “Work on it is still ongoing,” he added, indicating that the government remains vigilant in its efforts.

The Chief Minister’s statements come amid a backdrop of heightened political discourse regarding land ownership and its implications for local communities. Dhami’s focus on preventing demographic shifts aligns with his administration’s broader legislative agenda, which includes strict anti-conversion and anti-riot laws designed to regulate community interactions.

The recovery of land is a significant move in the context of Uttarakhand, a state that has experienced various social and political challenges. While the government’s actions receive support from certain segments of the population, they also raise questions about the balance between security measures and community rights.

As the situation develops, the government’s ongoing efforts to reclaim land and dismantle illegal structures will be closely monitored by local communities and political analysts alike. The impact of these actions on the socio-political fabric of Uttarakhand remains to be seen, but Dhami’s administration appears resolute in its mission to assert control over state-owned properties.