DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Assembly’s Monsoon Session, which began on Tuesday in Bhararisain, the state’s summer capital, was abruptly adjourned indefinitely on Wednesday, just two days into its scheduled five-day run.
Lasting only two hours and forty minutes over both days, the brief session was marked by vociferous protests from the opposition Congress, while the ruling party swiftly pushed through nine key bills and a supplementary budget.
From the outset, the opposition demanded a discussion on the state’s disaster management and law and order under Rule 310. Their protests escalated within the Assembly hall, with members tearing papers, shaking microphones, and raising slogans against what they described as a “dictatorial government” and “vote theft.”
Failing to secure a debate, Congress MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya and Pritam Singh, staged an unprecedented overnight sit-in inside the Assembly building. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s efforts to pacify them reportedly proved futile.
The second day mirrored the first in its tumultuous nature. Despite the uproar, the government managed to pass nine bills and a supplementary budget of Rs 5,315.89 crore.
Among the significant legislations approved were the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Amendment Bill, the amended Conversion Law, and the Uttarakhand Minority Bill, paving the way for major state-level changes.
The UCC (Amendment) Bill, passed by voice vote, introduces stricter provisions for live-in relationships, including increased penalties for misuse or violations.
The amended Conversion Law has been made more stringent, now providing for a life sentence for those found guilty of forced or fraudulent conversions.
Furthermore, the Uttarakhand Minority Bill seeks to establish an authority for all minority communities in the state, while also facilitating formal recognition for madrasas, with the aim of strengthening their operations and educational framework.
The opposition’s overnight dharna continued into Wednesday morning. Despite persistent government efforts, the Congress remained firm in its demands, which included the transfer of the Nainital District Magistrate, the suspension of the Senior Superintendent of Police, and the withdrawal of legal cases against Congress leaders. Facing an impasse, Assembly Speaker Ritu Bhushan Khanduri announced the indefinite adjournment of the House.
“Our demands have not been met, so the protest will continue,” said Congress Deputy Leader of Opposition Bhuvan Kapri. He criticised the government as “rechargeable,” adding, “No action was taken against the SSP for misbehaving with our MLA Aadesh Chauhan, nor against any officer in the Banbhulpura incident, or even for the misbehaviour with the Leader of Opposition and other MLAs.”
Haldwani MLA Sumit Hridyesh echoed the sentiment, stating, “When discussions on attacks on the Leader of Opposition and MLAs are not allowed, then dharna was our only recourse.”
He refuted allegations of vandalism, adding, “We went live at night to show the truth. Gandhiji’s truth runs in our blood. Kidnappings have happened before our eyes, and memes are being made about them; nothing is hidden from anyone.”
Nine key bills passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly:
• The Uttarakhand Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath Temples (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (commonly known as the Anti-Conversion Bill)
• The Uttarakhand Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand Witness Protection Repeal Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025 (also known as the Minority Educational Institutions Bill)
• The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025
• The Uttarakhand Loktantra Senani Samman Bill, 2025