New Delhi: “Those who don’t believe in Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are anti-Constitution and anti-Ambedkar,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while speaking at TV9 Network’s ‘What India Thinks Today’ (WITT 2025) Global Summit on Saturday. Uttarakhand was the first state in the country to implement UCC on January 27. Talking about its implementation, the CM said, “We didn’t do any appeasement politics. UCC is mentioned in Article 44 of Constitution.” On the exclusion of tribals from the UCC, Dhami said that tribals have been kept outside the UCC as per the Constitution.
On crackdown on madrasas, mazars
When asked about recent sealing of madrasas in the state, Dhami said that it was found that education was not being imparted in many of them; some of these centres were not registered and some in them had concealed identity. “We only want that our children should get good education and nothing should be operated illegally. I want good madrasas to be established. We will not discriminate against any community. Every child will get education.”
Talking about bulldozer action against ‘mazars and dargahs’ in the state, the CM said in Uttarakhand, encroachments were made on government lands by placing green cloth, yellow cloth, and blue cloth at various places. “We issued notices and then only carried out action. No force or coercion was applied. Around 6,000 acre of land was cleared, but nothing under them was found. We are not targeting anyone. Uttarakhand is a very peaceful state. We are working in line with the nature of our state.”
‘Uttarakhand is a land of peace and brotherhood’
The CM pointed out that every one should follow law. “Uttarakhand is a land of peace and brotherhood. It is Dev Bhoomi and it has a tradition to follow everything according to law and Constitution. People are law-abiding and want to live in harmony. Nobody wants any type of rift.”
Replying to another question, Dhami pointed out: “People are free to celebrate their festivals but such celebration shouldn’t disturb or cause inconvenience to others.”
On Aurangzeb controversy
Regarding the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s grave, Dhami said, “I don’t want to get into this matter. But what I want to say is that the person who imposed Jizya tax on Hindus, oppressed us, and forced religious conversions, I cannot consider such people as my ideals.”
In response to a question, he said that we have to decide what history should be taught. Why not teach about those personalities who have hitherto been downplayed, the CM asked. “Heroes like Prithviraj Chauhan and Maharana Pratap also fought bravely. We should remember such heroes of our country.”
