The situation regarding illegal mining in Uttarakhand has intensified following comments made by Haridwar MP and former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat regarding Brajesh Sant, a Dalit IAS officer and the state’s Secretary of Mining. The Uttarakhand IAS Association has officially expressed its discontent by passing a resolution condemning Rawat’s remarks, which have been widely criticized as casteist.
The controversy ignited when Rawat accused the state of rampant illegal mining during a parliamentary session. In response, Brajesh Sant clarified that the allegations were misrepresentations.
The next day, in response to Sant’s rebuttal, Rawat stated, “What to say? Lions do not hunt dogs,” a comment that has sparked significant backlash, perceived by many as a caste-related insult directed at Sant.
Protests erupted in Haridwar’s Jaatwada area, opposing Rawat’s statement. Meanwhile, BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt attempted to mitigate the issue by asserting that the party’s transparent policies have greatly improved revenues from legal mining operations. Conversely, opposition leader Yashpal Arya accused the government of protecting extensive illegal mining activities.
Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat also commented on the issue, acknowledging Trivendra Rawat’s focus on illegal mining while condemning his remarks towards Sant. He expressed concern over the government’s inaction against illegal mining, stating, “It is very strange that neither the central government nor the state government is acting against illegal mining. The mining mafia has dug up rivers and tributaries for sand mining,” underscoring the need for respect towards public officials.
Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, speaking from Udham Singh Nagar, supported Trivendra Rawat’s revelations about illegal mining in Parliament. He claimed that extensive mining operations remain unchecked along the Ganga and other rivers, often using heavy machinery in contravention of regulations.
Arya further alleged that these operations occur even at night, leading to accidents, and pointed to a collusion between government officials and mining entities that has emboldened illegal activity. He emphasized that Congress has been vocally addressing the corruption in Uttarakhand’s mining sector for an extended period.
In light of these developments, the Uttarakhand IAS Association convened an urgent meeting on March 30, 2025, presided over by Anand Bardhan. The association unanimously adopted a resolution emphasizing the dignity and respect that IAS officers deserve, urging political leaders and organizations to avoid statements undermining the self-respect of civil servants, as such attacks can harm morale and efficiency.
The association underlined its members’ obligation to implement government policies effectively and welcomed constructive dialogue. However, it emphasized that any concerns regarding policy implementation should be channeled through proper administrative pathways. The resolution has been presented to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and disseminated to the media.
Despite the Uttarakhand High Court’s orders for stringent action against illegal mining, reports indicate that such activities persist unabated in Bageshwar and surrounding areas, raising alarms about administrative inaction.
