Justice Call: Uttarakhand Congress to Launch 'Nyay Yatra'
Congress announces a statewide Nyay Yatra from Oct 22-25, culminating in a Gairsain Assembly protest over the Ankita Bhandari case and youth issues.
The Uttarakhand Congress is gearing up for a massive political offensive with the announcement of the Uttarakhand Congress Nyay Yatra, a statewide campaign designed to corner the state government on several critical issues. Scheduled to take place from October 22 to 25, 2026, the march aims to traverse every Assembly constituency across the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, mobilizing public sentiment ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
The Road to Gairsain
The campaign was officially announced on Saturday by Kumari Selja, the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). According to Selja, the Yatra is not merely a march but a build-up to a significant confrontation. The initiative will culminate on October 27, 2026, with a protest gherao of the state Assembly in Gairsain, timed perfectly to coincide with the start of the Assembly session.
Key Demands and Public Grievances
The Congress leadership has outlined a clear agenda for the agitation, focusing on issues that they claim the current administration has ignored. The primary drivers of the Nyay Yatra include:
- Justice for Ankita Bhandari: A central pillar of the protest is the demand for a fair and transparent investigation into the murder of Ankita Bhandari.
- Women's Safety: The party intends to highlight the urgent need for better security and protection for women across the state.
- Youth Empowerment: The Yatra will advocate for the future of the youth, addressing unemployment and career opportunities.
- Environmental Protection: The party is calling for the safeguarding of Uttarakhand’s precious natural resources.
Tensions Mount Over Ankita Bhandari Case
The political climate is particularly charged regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder investigation. Adding weight to the Congress party's demands, the parents of Ankita Bhandari traveled to Delhi on October 16 to meet with officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urging them to ensure an impartial probe into the case.
A High-Stakes Assembly Session
As the government prepares for the Gairsain Assembly session, the atmosphere is set to be volatile. The Congress leadership has already accused the state government of failing to address the grievances of the common people. The pressure is mounting on the administration, as 31 MLAs have already submitted a staggering 426 questions pertaining to development and public interest.
While the administration of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected to present a supplementary budget during this session, the looming protest and the unresolved nature of the Ankita Bhandari case suggest that the legislative proceedings will be overshadowed by intense political friction.