Uttarakhand Desk

In a significant political development, Pushkar Singh Dhami has expanded his Cabinet by inducting five new ministers, taking the total strength of the Council of Ministers to its full capacity of 12 in Uttarakhand. The newly inducted ministers were sworn in at a formal ceremony attended by senior government officials and party leaders. The expansion comes after months of speculation and is being seen as a strategic move to strengthen governance as well as political positionin

A shocking incident of road rage in Uttarakhand claimed the life of a retired Army Brigadier who was out on a routine walk, after a bullet fired during an altercation between two groups struck him fatally. According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred when occupants of two Delhi-registered vehicles got into a heated argument on the road. The verbal dispute soon escalated into violence, during which one of the individuals allegedly fired a gun. Tragically, the

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced ambitious plans to develop Tehri as a major destination for water-based tourism and adventure sports, aiming to boost the state’s economy and attract both domestic and international visitors. 🌊 Focus on Tehri’s Tourism Potential Speaking at the Tehri Lake Festival, Dhami highlighted the immense potential of Tehri as a premier hub for water sports. He said the government is committed to transforming the region into

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has stated that individuals who do not follow or believe in Sanatan Dharma should not enter the sacred temples of Badrinath Temple and Kedarnath Temple. BKTC chairman Ajendra Ajay said the temples are among the most important pilgrimage sites of Hinduism and are meant primarily for devotees who follow Sanatan traditions. He said that the committee believes people visiting the shrines should have faith in Sanatan Dharma and respe

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has praised social activist Deepak Kumar for his stand in support of communal harmony, and the two were recently seen together in a light-hearted interaction that has drawn attention online. During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi jokingly said he might join Deepak’s “Hulk Gym”, sparking reactions on social media. Deepak Kumar Came Into Limelight on Republic Day Deepak Kumar gained national attention earlier this year during an incident on Republi

A woman from Delhi reportedly spent an entire night hiding in a forest in Uttarakhand after escaping an alleged rape attempt by a taxi driver. The incident has raised serious concerns about passenger safety during travel. Woman Flees Into Forest to Save Herself According to police sources, the woman was travelling in a taxi when the driver allegedly tried to sexually assault her during the journey. Realising the danger, she managed to escape from the vehicle and ran towards a

The Uttarakhand government has implemented an amendment ordinance to its Uniform Civil Code (UCC), introducing key changes related to live-in relationships and legal terminology in official documents. Officials said the ordinance aims to streamline procedures and remove certain gender-specific references in the law. Provision for Live-In Relationship Termination Certificate One of the major amendments provides for the issuance of a termination certificate by the registrar upo

A recent report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has raised concerns over what it describes as a pattern of “hate politics” and violence targeting Muslims in Uttarakhand. The report alleges that the State has witnessed instances of systemic discrimination and communal tension in recent years. Key Findings of the Report According to APCR, several incidents involving alleged harassment, hate speech, social boycotts, and violence against members of the Mu

In a major boost to adventure tourism, the Uttarakhand government has opened 83 Himalayan peaks for mountaineering, including the iconic Nanda Devi. The move is aimed at promoting high-altitude tourism while ensuring regulated and sustainable access to some of the State’s most challenging summits. Major Push for Adventure Tourism Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami  announced the decision, stating that the selected peaks are renowned not only for their technical difficulty but

Dehradun : Education department employees across Uttarakhand have announced a statewide boycott of work following the alleged assault of a senior education official by supporters of a BJP MLA. According to employee unions, the incident involved the Director of the Education Department, who was allegedly manhandled during a confrontation at his office. The staff have condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the dignity of government officers and an attempt to intimidate

Employees of the Education Department in Uttarakhand have announced a statewide boycott of work following the alleged assault of a senior department director, reportedly by supporters of a BJP MLA. The incident has triggered widespread resentment among government staff and led to calls for immediate action against those involved. According to employee representatives, the director was allegedly manhandled during a confrontation linked to administrative matters. The incident s

The Uttarakhand government is considering the introduction of a registration fee for pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, in a bid to curb fake entries and streamline crowd management during the annual pilgrimage. Senior officials said a committee has been constituted to examine the proposal, work out the fee structure, and submit its recommendations for government approval. The move comes amid concerns over bogus registrations and misuse of the online booking system, wh

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat  has reiterated his support for the implementation of a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that it is “essential for unifying society” and strengthening national integration. Addressing a public gathering, Mr. Bhagwat said a common civil code applicable to all citizens, irrespective of religion or community, would promote equality and social harmony. He argued that uniformity in personal laws relating to marriage

Dehradun:  The Indian National Congress on Friday demanded a time-bound probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the murder of Ankita Bhandari, calling for the investigation to be completed within six months and seeking an independent inquiry into the alleged “VIP angle” linked to the case. Addressing a press conference, senior party leaders said the gravity of the crime and the public outrage it triggered necessitate a transparent and impartial probe under the

Dehradun:  The Uttarakhand government has sought assistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a massive forest fire continued to rage for the fifth consecutive day in the ecologically sensitive Valley of Flowers National Park in Chamoli district. Officials said the blaze, which began earlier this week amid dry weather and gusty winds, has spread across large stretches of alpine meadows and forested slopes within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ground teams from the forest de

Dehradun : High-altitude regions of Uttarakhand witnessed a fresh spell of snowfall, bringing down temperatures sharply and covering the Himalayan shrines and surrounding peaks in a thick white blanket. This marks the second significant snowfall in the region this season, boosting the winter chill across upper reaches. Snowfall was reported in and around Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district, where cloudy skies persisted through the day. Pilgrimage routes and trekking

Dehradun : For decades, Uttarakhand was largely associated with its sacred pilgrimages, Himalayan landscapes and quiet hill towns. From the shrines of Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple to its dense forests and small marketplaces, the State’s identity revolved around spirituality and ecology rather than communal discord. In recent years, however, parts of Uttarakhand have witnessed recurring episodes of communal tension. Protests over interfaith relationships, disputes lin

Dehradun:  A hoax bomb threat sent to the Dehradun District Court  on Tuesday triggered panic and led to a large-scale search operation by police and security agencies. According to officials, the court premises received an anonymous threat warning of an explosive device inside the complex. Following the alert, police immediately evacuated courtrooms and adjoining areas as a precautionary measure. Teams from the local police, bomb disposal squad, and dog squad were rushed to

Heated confrontation between two women at City Cart Mall escalates into physical fight; bystanders and staff intervene. Uttar Pradesh: A dramatic scene unfolded at City Cart Mall in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday when a woman allegedly caught her husband with another woman, leading to a heated altercation that quickly turned physical. According to eyewitnesses, the woman confronted her husband after spotting him inside the mall with his alleged girlfriend. The argument soon intens

Dehradun (Uttarakhand):  Two brothers, identified as Raju and Pankaj, were injured in separate police encounters in Dehradun late Wednesday night, following the high-profile killing of a businessman in the state. The incidents took place in the Doiwala and Ladpur areas, as the brothers allegedly tried to flee from law enforcement officers. According to police officials, the brothers were among key suspects being pursued in connection with the murder of a local businessman ear