Pushkar Dhami says Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘infiltrator’ remark insults Uttarakhand’s struggle

Pushkar Dhami has accused Akhilesh Yadav of insulting Uttarakhand’s identity and statehood struggle by allegedly calling the state’s people “infiltrators”. In a published on 24 October 2026, Dhami described Uttarakhand as both Devbhoomi, the land of the gods, and Veerbhoomi, the land of the brave.

Dhami said the state had given the country saints, soldiers and people dedicated to national service. He argued that the alleged remark offended the pride of Uttarakhand and disregarded the sacrifices made during the movement for statehood.

Reference to Rampur Tiraha firing

also referred to the firing at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar during the period when Mulayam Singh Yadav was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Dhami said the incident involved activists demanding a separate Uttarakhand state.

Dhami connected that historical reference with Akhilesh Yadav’s alleged comment, saying Uttarakhand’s people had not forgotten the events surrounding the statehood movement. His presented the issue as a matter of respect for the movement’s participants and those who made sacrifices for the state.

The statement did not provide further details about the alleged “infiltrator” remark, including when or where Akhilesh Yadav reportedly made it. It also did not include a response from Akhilesh Yadav or Congress.

Questions directed at Congress

Dhami asked whether Congress supported the statement made by its political ally and whether the party accepted describing people from Uttarakhand as “infiltrators”. He called on Congress to answer the people of Devbhoomi.

The immediate political impact of the exchange is its focus on Uttarakhand’s statehood movement and the memory of Rampur Tiraha. Dhami’s criticism seeks a clarification from Congress while placing the alleged remark within the state’s broader history of political struggle.

Conclusion

Pushkar Dhami has rejected the alleged “infiltrator” description of Uttarakhand’s people and linked it to the statehood movement and Rampur Tiraha firing. He has asked Congress to clarify whether it supports the remark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What did Pushkar Dhami allege?

Dhami alleged that Akhilesh Yadav had called people from Uttarakhand “infiltrators”.

Q. Why did Dhami say the remark was offensive?

He said it insulted Uttarakhand’s pride, identity and struggle for statehood.

Q. Which historical incident did Dhami mention?

He mentioned the firing at Rampur Tiraha in Muzaffarnagar during Mulayam Singh Yadav’s tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

Q. Who were involved in the movement mentioned in ?

Dhami referred to activists demanding a separate Uttarakhand state.

Q. What did Dhami ask Congress?

He asked whether Congress supported Akhilesh Yadav’s alleged statement and accepted the description of Uttarakhand’s people as “infiltrators”.

Q. Has a response from Akhilesh Yadav or Congress been included?

No response from Akhilesh Yadav or Congress was included in the supplied material.