Pushkar Singh Dhami Links Dussehra Rituals to State Crackdowns
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami used Dussehra celebrations to announce the reclamation of 13,000 acres of land and the closure of 200 illegal madrasas.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed the Ravan Dahan ritual and attended Dussehra fairs in Dehradun on October 20, 2026. During ceremonies organized by the Laxman Chowk Welfare Society and celebrations at the Parade Ground featuring a 181-foot-tall effigy of Ravana, Dhami framed the holiday's theme of truth triumphing over evil as a parallel to his administration's current legal and administrative campaigns.
Dhami announced that the state government has reclaimed more than 13,000 acres of encroached government land, shut down over 200 illegal madrasas, and dismantled more than 500 unauthorized structures. He linked these actions to a broader resolve to protect the culture and social harmony of the region.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the enactment of anti-riot laws and legislation specifically targeting forced religious conversions, land jihad, and love jihad. He stated that the government would no longer tolerate any threats to the sanctity of Uttarakhand.
