A look at Some of the Controversies that Marked the Reign of Tirath Singh Rawat

Tirath Singh Rawat brief stint as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand was nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. In these four months, Tirath Singh Rawat has courted several controversies with some opposition leaders even reportedly calling him a “disaster” for the BJP.

From commenting on women’s attire to making false historical references to the handling of Kumbh during the COVID times, Rawat has landed himself and his party in many uncomfortable situations.

श्री @pushkardhami जी को भाजपा विधानमण्डल दल का नेता चुने जाने पर हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनायें। pic.twitter.com/5Koy2tZwIf

— Tirath Singh Rawat (@TIRATHSRAWAT) July 3, 2021

The infamous ‘Ripped jeans’ comment

Tirath Singh Rawat had drawn criticism when he said that youths follow strange fashion trends due to lack of values ​​and consider themselves a big shot by wearing torn knee jeans. Women also follow such trends.
Rawat then described the dress of a woman sitting next to him on a flight. He described her as wearing shoes, jeans torn at the knees, bangles in her hands, and two children traveling with her. She also said that she runs an NGO, goes out into society and has two children, and thinks about what value she will give them.

America Enslaved India for 200 years

In his overzealous effort to praise PM Narendra Modi and tackle the COVID crisis in India, the now-former CM took another wrong step when he said that the US had ruled India instead of Britain. To emphasize the fact that India, with its vast population, was faring better than a superpower like the US, Rawat said, “Unlike other countries, India is doing better in handling the #COVID19 crisis.” America, which enslaved us for 200 years and ruled the world, is struggling in current times.

Handling of the Kumbh Mela

Tirath Singh Rawat handling of the Kumbh Mela, in which thousands of devotees gathered at the ghats of the Ganges in Haridwar, at a time when COVID was at its peak in the country, was widely criticized. Rawat said that the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar should not be compared with the Nizamuddin Markaz which was held in a closed space and was attended by even foreigners.

“There should be no comparison between Kumbh and Markaz. The Markaz was held in a closed space, in a Kothi-like structure whereas the Kumbh is being held in the open on the sprawling ghats of the Ganga,” Rawat said on a weekly talk show organized by the Hindustan Times. The chief minister was replying to a question as to why the two religious events should not be equated (Nizamuddin Markaz and Kumbh) as Kumbh also draws crowds and could strengthen the second wave of the coronavirus infection. Citing other differences between the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and Nizamuddin Markaz, Rawat said, “The devotees attending Kumbh are not from outside but our own people.”

But as cases escalated in the state and the rest of the country, Rawat’s claims did not make any sense. In May, the Uttarakhand High Court also slammed the state government for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and allowing religious events like Kumbh amid the second wave.

The decision to hold Chardham Yatra

In the latest event, the state government decided to knock on SC’s door against the HC’s decision. The Uttarakhand High Court had directed the state government to not allow the Char Dham Yatra, arguing that religious faith cannot be allowed to override “public safety”. But on June 30, the Uttarakhand government approached the Supreme Court in a bid to challenge the high court’s stay.

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Nikita Dhyani

Nikita Dhyani is a passionate writer. She basically writes on Health, Finance, and Politics related topics. She has explored many areas of interest and is being a part of the journalism industry.