Dehradun: Amid reports of demographic shifts in various areas of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s administration has initiated a ‘verification campaign’ to scrutinize the residents of the state. This action follows a directive from CM Dhami to address concerns related to demographic changes, religious conversions, and incidents of “love jihad.”
On Saturday (7th September 2024), DGP Abhinav Kumar announced that the state police have commenced a month-long campaign to verify the identities of residents, particularly in the hill districts where there are fears that external settlement might have altered local demographics. DGP Kumar noted that since there has been no census update since 2011, and given the perception of demographic changes in these areas, this campaign aims to assess and address these concerns.
According to the 2011 census, Uttarakhand’s population was approximately 1.10 crores, with Hindus making up about 83%, Muslims around 13.9%, and Sikhs 2.34%. The Muslim population had increased from 10.12 lakh in the 2001 census.
DGP Kumar emphasized that while adults are free to choose their partners, any relationship intended to convert someone to another religion will be scrutinized under existing laws. He reassured that the campaign is not meant to harass individuals but to address genuine concerns.
Recent tensions in hill areas such as Purola town of Uttarkashi, Dharchula, and Nandanagar in Chamoli, have spurred local Hindu organizations to claim a significant increase in the Muslim population. They argue that this is part of a deliberate plan to alter the demographic composition of Uttarakhand, known as Devbhoomi.
In response to these concerns and protests, including those relating to alleged love jihad incidents, CM Dhami ordered the verification campaign to ensure transparency and address the claims of demographic shifts.
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