Protest Seeking Minister's Ouster to Move to Gairsain

The members of "Mool Niwas, Bhoo Kanoon Samanvay Sangharsh Samiti" on Thursday announced their plans to organise a protest rally in the summer capital in Gairsain, demanding the resignation of finance minister Prem Chand Aggarwal over his alleged remarks against the Pahari community inside the state assembly.

- HT Correspondent

DEHRADUN:

On February 21, while speaking in the assembly, Aggarwal allegedly said: "Was Uttarakhand created only for the people of the hills? Who actually lives in the hills? Some have come from Madhya Pradesh, some from Rajasthan, and others from different places."

Congress MLA from Badrinath, Lakhpat Singh Butola, who tore papers in the state assembly in protest against the minister's remark, said, "People across the state are standing up for their identity. This state has a history of movements; it is a land of soldiers. The people of the hills, whether they have served in the armed forces or fought for independence, have always contributed to the nation. I am the son of a soldier...my father fought in two wars for this country, and my brother took a bullet for the nation. The people of the hills have been challenged; their land has been threatened. A Pahari may be simple, but he is unbreakable, he may fall, but he will never bow. Anyone who tries to suppress the hills will ultimately be buried under them."