Dehradun, Jan. 15 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Wednesday that people from a particular group had settled in some parts of Uttarakhand purely for vote-bank politics, even in areas without their historical presence. He asserted that his government would not permit any change in the state's demography. Addressing a public function in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar district-his home district in the Kumaon region-Dhami said past governments had extended special privileges to enable such settlements. "There are places in Uttarakhand where people from a particular group had no existence earlier. Even in such places, they were settled for vote-bank politics. We have resolved to give our coming generations a secure Uttarakhand. We will not allow any change in the demography of the state," he said. The chief minister added that the state government would not allow anyone to tarnish the sanctity of Dev Bhoomi, the land of gods. He referred specifically to Khatima, where religious people faced harassment and felt threatened. "This should not happen at any cost. I have instructed the local police and administration to look into such matters seriously," he said. Dhami launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party and its associates of spreading rumours, misinformation, and conspiring against the state government. He claimed forces that had raised slogans at places like Jawaharlal Nehru University and Kashmir now targeted Uttarakhand too. "I want to make it clear to all separatist forces and people with a Jehadi mindset that this is Dev Bhoomi. We will not allow anyone to harm its sacred culture or hatch conspiracies here," he said. During the programme, Dhami inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for nine development projects worth over Rs.33 crore in Khatima. These included a new high-tech Maharana Pratap Bus Station, constructed by the district development authority at a cost exceeding Rs.11 crore. Dhami noted that the state had enacted a strict anti-riot law to curb violence, with rioters bearing the cost of damages. He also announced plans to abolish the Madrasa Board through new legislation. "After July 1, only those madrasas will be allowed to operate which teach the curriculum prescribed by the government board. More than 250 illegally operating madrasas have already been closed," he said, adding that the state aimed to establish "temples of education" offering quality instruction to prescribed standards. Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya reacted to Dhami's remarks, accusing the BJP of defaming the opposition with nationalist rhetoric. "Before talking about lies, conspiracies and anti-nationalism, one should look at history. The Congress brought independence to the country, gave it a Constitution and laid the foundation of democracy," Arya said. He added that questioning the government formed democracy's essence, not anti-nationalism. "When the government is cornered by questions, such language is fabricated to divert attention. Running away from promises made to people is the real anti-nationalism. The country knows who has indulged in the politics of lies," Arya said....