Uttarakhand: Congress MLA Throws Microphones and Chairs at Jauljibi Mela After Being Denied Chance to Speak

A major controversy erupted during the inauguration ceremony of the historic Jauljibi Mela in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district on Saturday after Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami allegedly threw microphones and chairs on the stage of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The MLA from Dharchula was reportedly upset after being denied an opportunity to address the gathering.
 

The incident took place during the opening ceremony of the 10-day Jauljibi Mela, organised near the India-Nepal border. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had arrived to inaugurate the annual fair. Following the incident, chaos broke out at the venue, while a video showing the MLA’s protest began circulating widely on social media.
 

Harish Singh Dhami claimed that he had been assigned the responsibility of presiding over the fair but was not allowed to speak from the stage. He also alleged that his microphone was switched off. According to the MLA, he became angry after being denied an opportunity to present his views. The confrontation with the sound system staff reportedly escalated, with the MLA throwing microphones and chairs on the stage after the Chief Minister had left the venue.
 

During his protest, the Congress legislator reportedly described Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami as a coward and an absconder. He also challenged the Chief Minister to contest the Assembly election from the Dharchula constituency.
 

The MLA accused the state government of being afraid to listen to the Opposition on corruption-related issues. He further alleged that the government had failed to fulfil the promises made during the 2022 Assembly elections.
 

In a subsequent social media post, Harish Singh Dhami explained that he wanted to raise two local issues with the Chief Minister. These included the death of an eight-year-old girl in the area two days earlier and a road-related problem in Kanar.
 

Questioning why raising public concerns was being treated as an offence, the MLA said that a fair should not be limited to praising the government. He argued that such public platforms should also provide an opportunity to highlight people's problems, grievances and rights.
 

Meanwhile, Congress workers reached the venue following the stage disruption and staged a protest over the alleged exclusion of another Congress MLA from the district, Mayukh Singh Mehar, from the inauguration ceremony.
 

District Congress president Mukesh Pant criticised the state government, alleging that it had ignored an elected representative and disregarded democratic and ethical values.
 

The BJP, however, strongly condemned Harish Singh Dhami's conduct. Senior BJP leader Mahendra Singh Budiyal said the Chief Minister's programme had already been shortened due to time constraints. He described the language used by the Congress MLA as objectionable and his behaviour as an expression of frustration.
 

Budiyal demanded that an FIR be registered against the legislator. He also warned that if a case was not registered by Sunday afternoon, the BJP would not allow cultural programmes to be held during the Jauljibi Mela.
 

Earlier, while inaugurating the 10-day fair, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had described the Jauljibi Mela as a symbol of the historic trade links between India, Nepal and Tibet, which is under Chinese control, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the border region.
 

The fair features woollen products brought from Tibet, along with goods displayed and sold by Indian and Nepali traders. It remains an important platform showcasing the region's traditional trade and cultural connections.