FIR against Congress MLA for vandalism at fair. Uttarakhand CM says party ‘losing balance’

The Uttarakhand government has registered a case against Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami and five associates for alleged vandalism at a fair in Pithoragarh district. The police accuse the group of obstructing government officials, assaulting a public servant, rioting, damaging property, and intentionally insulting with the intent to provoke a breach of peace.

The incident occurred on Saturday after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Jouljibi Mela and delivered a speech. Harish Dhami and his supporters were reportedly heard raising slogans, using abusive language, and damaging property after the event concluded.

The confrontation is said to have erupted after the Chief Minister had departed the area. In response to the controversy, the Chief Minister accused the opposition of losing its political footing and mental stability, stating that their behavior is unbecoming of a democratic society. He warned that the public will undoubtedly reject them in the upcoming elections.

Harish Dhami, who was presiding over the fair, claimed that he was denied the chance to address the gathering and that his microphone was turned off when he tried to speak. He also accused the government of interfering with the sound system and demanded the right to voice concerns regarding his constituency, development works, and road conditions.

Dhami challenged the Chief Minister to contest the 2027 Assembly elections against him, threatening to do the same if permitted by his own party. He referred to the Chief Minister as "Darpok Dhami" (coward Dhami), in response to his popular nickname "Dhaakad Dhami" (fearless Dhami).