Will not tolerate outsiders attempting to alter Uttarakhand’s demography: Bhatt 

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun 

BJP State president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt stated that the party will not tolerate outsiders residing in the State with the intent to change its demography. Addressing the media at the party headquarters on Wednesday, Bhatt said that the government’s strict measures against those trying to disrupt the State’s social and cultural environment are justified.

He stated that the State does not restrict people from outside from coming or buying land, as all land transactions are governed by existing laws. However, anyone found attempting illegal land grabs or activities aimed at altering the State’s identity will face strict legal action. Bhatt claimed that the State government has been taking action under existing laws, including those on unlawful religious conversions, land encroachments and communal disturbances. Verification drives and campaigns like Kalnemi are also being conducted to identify and penalise individuals with harmful intentions, he said.

Bhatt also responded to Congress’s Vote Chor Gaddi Chod campaign, stating that in a democracy, it is the public who decide who occupies office. He said the electorate has repeatedly supported BJP in past elections, including the 2017 and 2022 State polls and the party expects similar outcomes in 2027. Bhatt criticised Congress for conducting what he called irresponsible campaigns following repeated electoral defeats and said attempts to mislead voters on vote-related issues are unfounded. He added that the party fully supports the government in ensuring that no individual or group is allowed to interfere with the State’s demography or its governance.