Uttarakhand witnessed significant protests against the state government following the arrest of two individuals in connection with a recruitment exam paper leak. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami labeled the incident as “nakal (cheating) jihad,” a term that has raised concerns for its Islamophobic implications in the broader context of communal rhetoric in India.
Speaking at a workshop for new party office bearers, Dhami claimed, “To destroy the future of the youth, they gang up to conspire and leak the paper. The coaching mafia and cheating mafia come together to carry out nakal jihad in the state… to spread anarchy in the region. To those mafias and jihadis, I warn you: as long as the mafia is not destroyed, we will not rest.”
Dhami has previously employed various terms categorized under his anti-Muslim campaigns, including ‘Love Jehad,’ ‘Land Jehad,’ and ‘Mazar Jehad,’ now adding ‘Nakal Jehad’ to this list. In response, senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana criticized the ruling BJP government for resorting to communalism rather than addressing critical issues like unemployment, health, and education.
Dhasmana remarked, “The state was created to address unemployment, education, health, and migration crises—yet these issues remain unresolved.” He also highlighted the pending regularization of over 22,000 individuals in contractual positions and delays in recruitment tests for various departments.
The Congress leader questioned the absence of jammers at the examination center and suggested that certain BJP leaders may be implicated in the leak scandal. The Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission exam, held recently, faced allegations of a paper leak after portions of the exam circulated online. The two arrested individuals, Khalid Malik and his sister Sabia, are suspected of involvement in the leak.
The Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangathan, among other groups, organized a march to Dehradun in protest against the state government. Hundreds of youth gathered at Parade Ground in the capital, insisting that the situation involved more than just the two arrested.
A protest led by the student wing of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) also took place in Srinagar Garhwal. Students expressed their discontent with placards reading “Paper Chor, Gaddi Chhod.” SUCI secretary Mukesh Semwal noted that the students had initially secured permission for a peaceful protest, which was later revoked by police, yet they proceeded with their demonstration.
The principal of the college associated with the leak is Dharmendra Chauhan, who also serves as the media in-charge for the BJP in Haridwar. The ongoing protests reflect widespread unrest among youth in the state, compounding the challenges faced by the state administration.
Tags: Uttarakhand, Dhami, protest, paper leak, Congress
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