Uttarakhand Congress Organizes Major Protest March in Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Congress party staged a substantial protest demonstration in Dehradun on Monday, with party functionaries and workers marching from Parade Ground towards Lok Bhavan to press their demands regarding law and order, rising crime rates, and various other governance issues.
Massive Gathering and March Towards Government Headquarters
A large number of Congress workers from different districts across Uttarakhand assembled at Parade Ground before proceeding in organized batches towards Lok Bhavan. The participants raised powerful slogans against the state government while carrying placards that clearly highlighted their multiple demands and concerns.
The protest march was led by prominent Congress leaders including state Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal, leader of opposition Yashpal Arya, former chief minister Harish Rawat, and head of the party's election campaign committee Pritam Singh. Congress state in-charge Kumari Selja also addressed party workers with an inspiring speech before the march officially began.
Key Issues Highlighted During the Demonstration
Party functionaries stated that the protest was specifically organized against several critical issues facing Uttarakhand:
- Crimes against women and general public safety concerns
- Persistent unemployment problems across the state
- Rising inflation affecting common citizens
- Allegations of corruption in governance
- What they described as a "significant deterioration in law and order"
Referring to recent incidents of violent crime in Dehradun, Congress leaders alleged that the state capital had witnessed a noticeable spike in criminal cases during recent weeks. They claimed that public safety had become a serious matter of concern requiring immediate government attention.
Strong Statements from Congress Leadership
Addressing the gathered party workers, state Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal made serious allegations that the "BJP government had completely failed to control both crime and inflation" in Uttarakhand. Leader of opposition Yashpal Arya declared that the "opposition would continue to raise crucial issues related to unemployment, migration patterns, wildlife attacks on communities, inadequate disaster relief measures, and proper compensation for farmers facing crop losses."
Pritam Singh, head of the party's election campaign committee, directly accused the government of "consistently ignoring public grievances" and stated clearly that "the protest aimed specifically to hold the administration accountable for its governance failures."
Allegations of Attempted Suppression
Congress party functionaries also alleged that publicity material that had been put up for the march towards Lok Bhavan was removed earlier in the day. They claimed this "move was clearly intended to curb legitimate dissent and democratic expression" against the ruling government.
Youth Congress Commitment to Peace and Security
Meanwhile, Youth Congress in-charge and national general secretary Surabhi Dwivedi made a strong statement declaring that "The Youth Congress would act as a protective shield against any elements attempting to spread unrest and disturb peace in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand." She asserted with conviction that workers, whom she described affectionately as "soldiers of love," would stand firm to ensure the safety and security of people against any disruptive forces.
Police Response and Traffic Management
Police personnel were deployed in significant numbers along the entire protest route, with barricades strategically placed near key intersections to manage the demonstration. Traffic diversions were implemented in several parts of Dehradun city to manage congestion during the political rally and ensure minimal disruption to regular commuters.
Detentions and Political Implications
Several Congress functionaries were detained by police while attempting to march towards Lok Bhavan and were taken temporarily to Police Lines, where they were later released. Despite these detentions, Congress spokesperson Abhinav Thapar termed the rally a "grand success," stating confidently that "The days of the current BJP government in the state are clearly numbered, and the people will vote decisively for the Congress party in the upcoming 2027 assembly polls."
The protest highlighted growing political tensions in Uttarakhand as opposition parties intensify their criticism of the ruling government's performance on multiple fronts including public safety, economic management, and governance effectiveness.
