NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s statement regarding a ban on non-Hindus in religious places in Uttarakhand has escalated into a major controversy. The Congress has termed it entirely electoral propaganda aimed at diverting attention from the real issues. There is also resentment within the BJP over this matter because the faith of Sikhs, Jains, and many other communities is associated with most of the religious places in Uttarakhand, along with Hindus.
Dhami had earlier invited people from all communities visit during the Char Dham Yatra. Dhami said that the government will proceed according to the opinion of religious organizations. Organizations associated with all the temples of Uttarakhand are preparing to bring a proposal regarding all temples. Uttarakhand has also become the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Congress says that the BJP is promoting Hindutva politics to divert attention from the issues of the common people and advance its agenda.
A meeting of the Congress was held on Tuesday regarding various issues in Uttarakhand. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, State In-charge Kumari Selja, former CM Harish Rawat, State President Ganesh Godiyal, LoP Yashpal Arya, and other leaders participated in this meeting. The strategy for the elections to be held after 11 months and the situation in the state were discussed in the meeting. In Uttarakhand, protests are currently underway across the state regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder case and many other issues. The mention of a VIP in the Ankita Bhandari murder case has embarrassed the BJP. Party leaders have also opened a front against CM Dhami.