Political News

In early February 2026, in Binarasi village near Roorkee (Haridwar district, Uttarakhand), what began as a routine Ravidas Jayanti procession and community feast (bhandara) turned into a violent clash between two rival groups from the same community. The incident occurred on February 1, 2026 during and after the Sant Ravidas Jayanti procession in Bhagwanpur’s Binarasi village. A verbal dispute between rival groups escalated into stone-pelting, firing of firearms, and rioting within minutes. Police registered multiple FIRs against individuals from both sides as law and order deteriorated.

In February 2026, police in the Piran Kaliyar area of Haridwar district (near Roorkee), Uttarakhand carried out a law-enforcement operation during a verification drive to crack down on a forgery racket.

In early February 2026, a mahant (temple head) in Roorkee, Uttarakhand began an amaran anshan (hunger strike) at a local temple to protest against the new provisions in the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act. This protest became a notable political and civic issue in the region. 🧑‍⚖️ Who Led the Protest 📣 Why It Matters The protesters claimed that the UGC Act’s new provisions could negatively impact their community and culture. Key points made by the mahant included:

In 2024, the Uttarakhand government received in-principle approval from the Union Government to establish Centre(s) of Excellence in Roorkee and Pantnagar, aimed at boosting research, skill training, industrial growth, and innovation in the region. The plan was supported by the Union Heavy Industries Minister, following advocacy by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister in New Delhi.