Uttarakhand Kranti Dal

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), established on July 26, 1979, in Nainital, stands as the architect of Uttarakhand’s statehood. With its revolutionary vision to create a separate hill state, UKD emerged as a voice against administrative neglect and a torchbearer for sustainable development in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. Through decades of perseverance and activism, UKD played a pivotal role in the realization of Uttarakhand as the 27th state of India on November 9, 2000.

The Vision Behind UKD’s Formation

The UKD was founded by Bipin Chandra Tripathi, Prof. Devi Datt Pant, Indramani Badoni, and Kashi Singh Airy to unify scattered civil movements in the hill regions of Uttar Pradesh. Its goal was clear: establish a separate state that would focus on the unique needs of the Himalayan people and ecology.

The founding convention was chaired by Prof. Devi Datt Pant, with young leader Kashi Singh Airy spearheading mass movements and public campaigns. The party adopted a grass-roots approach to spread awareness and build momentum for the statehood cause.

Milestones of the Uttarakhand Foundation Movement

• 1988 Foot March:
  • Led by Indramani Badoni, UKD undertook a historic 105-day march across villages, spreading awareness about the need for statehood.
  • This movement solidified public support and united diverse groups under the banner of statehood.
• Declaration of Gairsain as the Capital:
  • In 1992, Badoni declared Gairsain as the future capital of Uttarakhand during Makar Sankranti celebrations, emphasizing its central location and symbolic significance.
• 1994 Rampur Tiraha Tragedy:
  • The movement faced brutal police action, galvanizing national attention and strengthening the demand for statehood.
• Formation of Uttarakhand:
  • After years of agitation, the BJP-led central government created Uttarakhand on November 9, 2000, fulfilling UKD’s primary demand.
  • The renaming of the state to Uttaranchal initially drew criticism, which was later reversed in 2007 to honor the sacrifices of the statehood movement’s martyrs.

UKD’s Leadership and Legacy

• Kashi Singh Airy: A charismatic leader, Airy served multiple terms in the legislative assembly and became the face of the UKD and the statehood movement.
• Indramani Badoni: Revered as the “Father of Uttarakhand,” his leadership inspired countless activists to join the cause.
• Prof. Devi Datt Pant and Bipin Chandra Tripathi: Intellectual pioneers who provided strategic direction to the movement.
• Surendra Kukreti: A prominent activist who led UKD in its later phases.

Challenges and Decline

Despite being instrumental in the creation of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) struggled to maintain its political relevance in the post-statehood era. The party faced several challenges that led to its steady decline:

Factionalism and Leadership Disputes

• Internal conflicts began soon after the formation of Uttarakhand, with senior leaders disagreeing on key issues such as alliances and electoral strategies.
• The party split into factions like UKD(P) and UKD(D), each claiming to represent the original vision. These splits diluted the party’s influence and confused its voter base.
• The Election Commission froze UKD’s original symbol (Chair) during the 2012 assembly elections due to disputes between the factions. Though the factions reunited in 2017, the damage to the party’s reputation was irreversible.

Failure to Adapt to Changing Political Landscape

• Post-statehood, the political focus in Uttarakhand shifted from the statehood movement to issues like infrastructure development, employment, and migration from hill areas. UKD failed to present a strong vision for addressing these new challenges, ceding ground to national parties like the BJP and Congress.
• Its traditional voter base in the hill districts felt alienated as UKD struggled to modernize its political agenda.

Electoral Decline

• In the first state assembly elections in 2002, UKD won four out of 70 seats, showcasing significant potential. However, this performance could not be sustained in subsequent elections:
  • 2007: Three seats.
  • 2012: Only one seat under UKD(P).
  • 2017 and 2022: No representation in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.
• The party’s inability to secure consistent wins led to dwindling support and loss of credibility among voters.

Perception of Political Opportunism

• UKD formed alliances with both BJP and Congress at various times, compromising its identity as an independent regional party. These moves were widely criticized by supporters who saw UKD as a revolutionary force against larger, mainstream parties.
• Such alliances were perceived as opportunistic and contributed to the erosion of trust among its core supporters.

Erosion of Grassroots Support

• The lack of strong grassroots organization post-statehood weakened UKD’s ability to connect with voters in rural areas.
• Activists who had been loyal to UKD during the statehood movement were disillusioned by the party’s internal conflicts and drifted toward BJP and Congress, which offered better resources and stronger leadership.

Inability to Address Key Regional Issues

• UKD, despite its earlier focus on sustainable development and ecological preservation, failed to effectively address pressing concerns like:
  • Migration: A growing exodus from hill villages due to lack of jobs and infrastructure.
  • Unemployment: Rising youth dissatisfaction due to limited opportunities.
  • Environmental Degradation: Failure to champion environmental concerns that had been central to its early agenda.
• The inability to articulate clear solutions to these problems further marginalized the party in Uttarakhand’s political discourse.

Rise of National Parties

• The entry of national parties into Uttarakhand’s political arena post-statehood overshadowed regional entities like UKD. BJP and Congress leveraged their national resources and organizational strength to dominate elections.
• These parties successfully claimed credit for the statehood movement, sidelining UKD’s contributions and erasing it from public memory.

Public Perception as a Spent Force

• Over time, UKD came to be seen as a party of the past, unable to reinvent itself for contemporary challenges. This perception made it difficult for the party to attract new leaders, activists, and young voters.

Limited Financial Resources

• UKD’s lack of financial resources compared to BJP and Congress hindered its ability to campaign effectively, organize rallies, or reach voters in remote regions.
• The financial strain further exacerbated its organizational weaknesses and led to poor visibility during elections.

Disconnect from Urban Voters

• As urban centers like Dehradun, Haldwani, and Rudrapur grew, UKD struggled to appeal to their populations. The party remained largely rooted in its hill-centric agenda, failing to address the needs of urban voters who prioritized infrastructure and economic development.

Legacy

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), despite its decline in political prominence, has left a lasting legacy in the state it helped create. Over the years, the party has championed several campaigns aimed at promoting the social, cultural, and economic upliftment of the Pahari people. By embracing a broad and inclusive definition of the Uttarakhandi identity, UKD has sought to unify diverse communities across the state under a shared vision of progress and development.

Civic Nationalism

UKD’s ideology is rooted in civic nationalism, as opposed to ethnic or cultural exclusivity. The party advocates for the collective welfare of all communities in Uttarakhand, regardless of ethnicity or background. In this way, UKD’s approach aligns with the center-left nationalist ideologies of parties like the Scottish National Party or Plaid Cymru, although UKD’s goals remain firmly non-secessionist and focused on fostering sustainable growth within the Indian Union.

Key Campaigns

• Bhu Kanoon Movement
  • UKD has been a strong advocate for implementing strict land ownership laws (Bhu Kanoon) to protect the rights of Uttarakhand’s native residents.
  • The party argues for regulations to prevent the indiscriminate sale of land to outsiders, aiming to preserve the ecological and cultural heritage of the hill region.
  • This movement remains central to UKD’s vision of sustainable development and combating unchecked commercialization.
• Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
  • In recent years, UKD has been among the most vocal campaigners seeking justice in high-profile cases, such as the Ankita Bhandari Murder Case, which highlighted systemic failures in protecting women and addressing crimes in the state.
  • The party’s active participation in protests and public awareness campaigns reflects its commitment to ensuring judicial accountability and social justice.

Cultural and Environmental Advocacy

• UKD continues to promote the preservation of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, including its traditional arts, languages, and festivals.
• The party has remained a staunch defender of the Himalayan ecology, calling for stricter environmental laws and sustainable practices to combat deforestation, climate change, and the overexploitation of natural resources.

Inspiration for Regional Movements

UKD’s pivotal role in the Uttarakhand Statehood Movement serves as an enduring inspiration for regional and grassroots movements across India. By demonstrating how sustained civic activism can lead to significant political outcomes, UKD has cemented its place in the history of regional political struggles.

Although the party’s influence has waned, its legacy endures in the hearts of Uttarakhand’s people, particularly those who remember its role in shaping the state’s identity and advocating for its unique needs. UKD’s contributions remain a benchmark for civic responsibility and regional pride.

The Path Forward

UKD’s decline offers critical lessons for regional parties across India. While its historical role in Uttarakhand’s foundation remains undisputed, the party must evolve by addressing current challenges such as migration, unemployment, and climate change. Rebuilding grassroots support, fostering unity within its ranks, and adopting a modern political agenda are essential steps if UKD hopes to regain relevance in Uttarakhand’s political landscape.