Uttarakhand Land Controversy Erupts Near Indian Military Academy
A significant political storm has erupted in Uttarakhand over a 20-acre agricultural land parcel located near the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. This land, originally allotted at concessional rates during the 2002-2007 Congress government, was intended for establishing a minority educational institution but has now become a flashpoint ahead of next year's assembly polls.
Land Allotment and Subsequent Violations
The land, situated in Hariyawala village within the Dhaulas area adjacent to the academy, was granted to the Shekihul Hind Education Charitable Trust specifically for educational purposes. When the proposed institution failed to materialize, the Uttarakhand High Court permitted the trust to sell the land under strict conditions: the land use must remain agricultural and unchanged.
However, a recent investigation ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has uncovered alleged large-scale violations of these judicial directives. The inquiry, conducted by Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal, revealed that the trust sold the land to 15 individuals. These buyers subsequently subdivided the property into plots and sold them to approximately 80 different purchasers.
"The land was allotted in the name of a minority educational institution, but instead of being used for agriculture, illegal colony development was found at the site," stated an official involved in the probe. The district administration has labeled these actions as a clear "violation of court orders" and raised them as a "potential security concern" due to the land's proximity to a critical defense establishment.
Political Accusations and Counterclaims
Reacting strongly to these findings, Chief Minister Dhami asserted that the case reflects attempts during the previous Congress regime to facilitate the establishment of a Muslim university, accusing the opposition of engaging in "minority appeasement." "Such attempts amounted to a conspiracy for demographic change in Uttarakhand and would not be allowed to succeed," the CM declared. He emphasized that the matter is under intensive investigation to determine precisely how the land was sold and which regulations were violated.
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat swiftly dismissed these allegations, questioning why the BJP, which has held power multiple times since 2004, did not act earlier if irregularities had indeed occurred. "If something was wrong in Dhaulas, why did the BJP remain silent from 2004 to 2026? Even the plotting that took place would have required permission from the BJP government," Rawat argued.
Rawat further claimed that most buyers of the subdivided plots were Hindus, including teachers, ex-servicemen, and residents from hill districts. He suggested that "the issue appeared to be less about religious identity and more about those who carried out and benefited from the land transactions."
Calls for Action and Broader Implications
Amid the escalating controversy, BJP MLA from Dharampur, Vinod Chamoli, called for decisive measures, stating, "The government should cancel the land allotment and take possession of the property." This demand underscores the growing pressure on the administration to address the alleged violations comprehensively.
The controversy highlights several critical issues:
- The integrity of land allotment processes for educational and minority institutions.
- The enforcement of court orders regarding land use and sales.
- Potential security risks associated with unauthorized developments near sensitive defense installations.
- The politicization of land and minority issues in the lead-up to state elections.
As investigations continue, this land scandal near the Indian Military Academy is poised to remain a focal point in Uttarakhand's political discourse, influencing public opinion and policy discussions on governance, security, and minority rights in the region.
