Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched a book on the life of late statehood activist Ranjit Singh Verma at the IRDT Auditorium in Survey Chowk, Dehradun, on November 5, 2026.
The book, titled Ranjit Singh Verma: A People’s Hero of the Decisive Struggle for Uttarakhand Statehood, records Verma’s role in the movement that led to the creation of Uttarakhand. Dhami paid tribute to Verma and remembered his contribution to the statehood campaign.
Book preserves movement history
Dhami praised senior litterateur Gambhir Singh Palni and Ajay Verma for documenting Verma’s life, struggle and public contribution. He described the publication as more than a biography, calling it an important record of the movement’s determination and sacrifice.
The chief minister said the book would help future generations understand Uttarakhand’s statehood history and the hardships faced by activists. He also said remembering the movement was important for recognising the sacrifices made during the campaign.
According to the account presented at the event, Verma played a major role in raising the demand for a separate Uttarakhand, bringing people together and building wider public support. He served as president of the Uttarakhand United Struggle Committee in Dehradun district.
Verma’s role in the statehood campaign
Dhami said Verma kept the agitation active in Dehradun during 1995–96 and the period that followed. He led programmes including shutdowns, road blockades, jail-filling campaigns and rail blockades to strengthen the demand for a separate state.
Verma also helped make his in-laws’ home at Premnagar market in Doiwala an important centre for the movement. The location supported activists arriving from the hill regions by helping arrange places for them to stay.
The chief minister recalled the events in Khatima, Mussoorie and Muzaffarnagar as painful chapters in the history of the statehood movement. He said activists continued their campaign despite difficulties and suffering.
Their struggle culminated in Uttarakhand becoming the country’s 27th state on 9 November 2000. Dhami described state formation as the result of decades of struggle and the sacrifice of countless activists, as well as the fulfilment of the aspirations and public sentiment of millions of people.
Public life after state formation
Verma had served twice as a legislator from the Mussoorie Assembly constituency of undivided Uttar Pradesh. Dhami said Verma placed his commitment to state formation above electoral politics, did not contest an election after the state was created and remained active in social work.
The chief minister presented Verma’s life as an example of commitment to principles and selfless public service. He said the responsibility of the present generation was not only to pass the movement’s legacy to those who come after it, but also to work towards fulfilling its ideals.
Dhami said the state government was working towards overall development, good governance, self-reliance and protection of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage. He identified better employment opportunities for young people, greater self-reliance for women and wider access to development benefits as part of that vision.
He said building a developed and prosperous Uttarakhand in line with the dreams of the movement’s activists would be the true tribute to Verma and all those who struggled for statehood. He also paid respects to the martyrs of the movement and expressed gratitude to all activists.
Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal, Hans Foundation founder Mata Mangla, senior litterateur Gambhir Singh Palni, Ajay Verma, statehood activists, elected representatives and other guests attended the programme.
Conclusion
The book launch brought renewed attention to Ranjit Singh Verma’s role in Uttarakhand’s statehood movement and to the wider sacrifices that led to the state’s formation on 9 November 2000. Its stated purpose is to preserve that history for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who launched the book on Ranjit Singh Verma?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the book.
Q. Where was the book launched?
The launch took place at the IRDT Auditorium, Survey Chowk, in Dehradun.
Q. What is the book about?
It is based on the life, struggle and contribution of late Uttarakhand statehood activist Ranjit Singh Verma.
Q. What role did Ranjit Singh Verma play in the movement?
He helped raise the demand for a separate Uttarakhand, united activists and led campaigns in Dehradun as president of the Uttarakhand United Struggle Committee’s district unit.
Q. When did Uttarakhand become a separate state?
Uttarakhand became the country’s 27th state on 9 November 2000.
Q. Who helped document Verma’s life?
Senior litterateur Gambhir Singh Palni and Ajay Verma were praised for their efforts in documenting his life and contribution.
