Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal resigned on Sunday, weeks after his remarks about ‘paharis’ (hill people) in the Assembly sparked widespread controversy. The four-time MLA from Rishikesh submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence.
The controversy erupted on February 21, during the fourth day of the Budget session, when Congress MLAs accused Aggarwal of making derogatory statements about ‘paharis’ while responding to a question. Aggarwal’s comments, perceived as divisive, drew sharp criticism across the state.
“Did we fight for a state to fight like this? Is this why we sacrificed? Is Uttarakhand just for people in the hills? And, who are in the hills? Some came from Madhya Pradesh, while a few others from Rajasthan. You are dividing people into Kumaon, Garhwal, pahari and desi. Will you object only because I am Aggarwal? This is not right,” Aggarwal had said in the Assembly.
His remarks triggered protests from social organisations and political opponents. Congress workers staged demonstrations across Uttarakhand, including a symbolic “shav yatra (funeral procession)” in Almora, chanting slogans against the government’s alleged anti-pahari stance.
Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya condemned Aggarwal’s comments. “Such thoughts and perceptions about people of the hills are against the dignity of the House and should be criticised. However, I have also asked our MLAs to be careful,” he told The Indian Express.
The BJP distanced itself from the controversy, with state media in-charge Manveer Chauhan confirming that party chief Mahendra Bhatt had “warned” Aggarwal and advised him to use “appropriate language”.
The ‘hills vs plains’ divide has long been a sensitive issue in Uttarakhand, dating back to British colonial rule in 1815, when the Kumaon region—home to 29 of the state’s 70 Assembly seats—was annexed by the East India Company. The demand for a separate state resurfaced in 1938 at the Indian National Congress’s general convention.