The year 2025 was difficult for Uttarakhand. The state saw protests, disasters and several controversies. Some decisions brought relief, but many incidents led to anger and grief. From paper leaks to natural calamities, Uttarakhand stayed in the news for much of the year. The year ended on a disturbing note with the killing of a student from Tripura in Dehradun. The incident led to protests and outrage and is still under investigation.
These are some of the key events from Uttarakhand in 2025.
Dharali disaster
One of the worst incidents of the year was the disaster in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district. A cloudburst led to heavy debris flow in the area. Houses, hotels, shops and roads were damaged or buried. Rescue operations continued for days. While many people were rescued, several are still missing. The incident raised questions about construction activities in fragile mountain areas and the lack of long-term planning in the region.
Paper leak case
The paper leak controversy dominated headlines for much of 2025. Several competitive examinations in Uttarakhand were affected by allegations that question papers were leaked. Candidates claimed the papers were shared on social media even before the exams. This led to widespread protests by unemployed youth in various parts of the state. Senior national leaders reacted strongly and under increasing pressure, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had to order a CBI probe into the case to ensure transparency.
Crackdown on illegal religious structures
The Uttarakhand government started a major drive against illegal religious structures during the year. The campaign mainly targeted unregistered madrasas and religious sites allegedly built on government land. Authorities sealed and demolished dozens of such structures. Chief Minister Dhami said illegal occupation in the name of religion would not be tolerated. While supporters called it necessary for law and order, critics accused the government of communal targeting.
Record turnout for Chardham Yatra
Despite disasters and challenging conditions, the Chardham Yatra created history in 2025. More than 51 lakh devotees visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The successful Yatra gave a boost to tourism and strengthened the region’s religious and economic importance.
Rising human-wildlife conflict
Human-wildlife conflict emerged as a serious concern during the year. Incidents of bear attacks increased sharply in hilly districts such as Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh. Several people were injured and at least eight lost their lives. Despite steps taken by the forest department, the attacks continued during the year. The incidents pointed to increasing conflict between human settlements and wildlife habitats in several parts of the state.
Anjel Chakma killing
The year ended on a grim note with the killing of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura, in Dehradun. The incident triggered protests after the victim’s family alleged a violent attack and delay in registration of the FIR. The case is under investigation. It also led to discussions on the safety of students from the Northeast and allegations of discrimination.
By Dipika Kandewal
Also Read: J&K 2025: A year of attack, response and recovery
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