Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal resigned on Sunday, weeks after his remarks about ‘paharis’ (hill folks) within the Meeting sparked widespread controversy. The four-time MLA from Rishikesh submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence.
The controversy erupted on February 21, throughout the fourth day of the Funds session, when Congress MLAs accused Aggarwal of constructing derogatory statements about ‘paharis’ whereas responding to a query. Aggarwal’s feedback, perceived as divisive, drew sharp criticism throughout the state.
“Did we struggle for a state to struggle like this? Is that this why we sacrificed? Is Uttarakhand only for folks within the hills? And, who’re within the hills? Some got here from Madhya Pradesh, whereas a number of others from Rajasthan. You might be dividing folks into Kumaon, Garhwal, pahari and desi. Will you object solely as a result of I’m Aggarwal? This isn’t proper,” Aggarwal had stated within the Meeting.
His remarks triggered protests from social organisations and political opponents. Congress employees staged demonstrations throughout Uttarakhand, together with a symbolic “shav yatra (funeral procession)” in Almora, chanting slogans towards the federal government’s alleged anti-pahari stance.
Chief of Opposition Yashpal Arya condemned Aggarwal’s feedback. “Such ideas and perceptions about folks of the hills are towards the dignity of the Home and ought to be criticised. Nonetheless, I’ve additionally requested our MLAs to watch out,” he informed The Indian Categorical.
The BJP distanced itself from the controversy, with state media in-charge Manveer Chauhan confirming that get together chief Mahendra Bhatt had “warned” Aggarwal and suggested him to make use of “applicable language”.
The ‘hills vs plains’ divide has lengthy been a delicate difficulty in Uttarakhand, courting again to British colonial rule in 1815, when the Kumaon area—house to 29 of the state’s 70 Meeting seats—was annexed by the East India Firm. The demand for a separate state resurfaced in 1938 on the Indian Nationwide Congress’s normal conference.
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