Congress leader Kumari Selja has said that securing justice for every section of Uttarakhand and protecting people’s constitutional and democratic rights remain central to the Congress party’s commitment. Addressing the ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ programme in Rudrapur as part of the Uttarakhand Nyay Yatra, she raised concerns over unemployment, inflation, women’s safety, recruitment irregularities and the need to safeguard the rights of voters.

Selja said public policy must respond to the everyday concerns of ordinary people, including young people seeking jobs, families facing rising living costs, women demanding safety and justice, and communities looking for fair opportunities. She argued that democratic institutions must remain accountable to citizens and that public confidence depends on transparency, fairness and equal treatment.

Women’s Safety and Justice Must Remain a Priority

Women’s safety and access to justice were among the issues highlighted during the programme. Referring to public concern surrounding the Ankita Bhandari case, Selja stressed the importance of a fair, transparent process and accountability wherever questions about justice arise. The case has remained a sensitive issue in Uttarakhand, with demands from sections of the public for answers and accountability.

She said women must be able to live, study and work without fear, and that complaints involving violence or exploitation should be handled with seriousness and impartiality. Public confidence, she maintained, is strengthened when institutions act transparently and victims and their families feel that their concerns are being heard.

Transparent Recruitment and Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities and the integrity of recruitment processes were also raised at the Rudrapur programme. Selja questioned the handling of recruitment-related controversies and allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, saying that young candidates deserve a fair chance and a system in which merit is respected. Allegations of wrongdoing require impartial investigation and action in accordance with the law, while recruitment procedures should be transparent enough to earn public trust.

She also linked the lack of secure employment opportunities with the wider challenges faced by young people and families. In her view, employment policy must focus on creating meaningful opportunities, strengthening public accountability and ensuring that eligible candidates are not disadvantaged by irregular practices. She said the concerns of job seekers should not be dismissed as political rhetoric.

Congress Raises Questions over Electoral Transparency

The ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ message placed the protection of voting rights and electoral transparency at the centre of the discussion. Selja said that every eligible citizen must be able to exercise the right to vote freely and that electoral processes should be transparent, credible and open to scrutiny. The programme’s central message was that democratic participation depends on people having confidence that their vote matters and that their rights are protected.

She referred to the Congress leadership’s broader concerns about democratic accountability, including issues raised by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. The party has argued that protecting constitutional values requires public vigilance, transparent institutions and a political culture in which dissent and questions from citizens are respected.

Social Justice and Good Governance

Selja said that the concerns of different social and economic groups must be reflected in government decisions. She highlighted the importance of fair opportunities, accountable administration and policies that address inflation and the pressures faced by households. She also drew attention to migration from hill areas, an issue often associated with limited employment opportunities and access to essential services. Sustainable development, she indicated, must create reasons for people to stay and build their futures in their home regions.

The Congress message, as presented at the programme, was that governance should be measured by whether people receive justice, whether young people can access employment, whether women feel safe and whether public institutions act fairly. These concerns, the party maintains, require sustained attention rather than assurances alone.

A Call to Protect People’s Rights

The Rudrapur programme brought together the Congress party’s stated concerns over democratic rights, employment, women’s safety and social justice under the wider Uttarakhand Nyay Yatra. Selja’s message was that the protection of people’s rights must remain a practical commitment, reflected in transparent administration and equal access to justice and opportunity.

The issues raised at the event reflect the political debate over governance in Uttarakhand. Allegations and political claims require examination on their merits, while citizens’ concerns about jobs, safety, prices and electoral confidence remain important subjects for public scrutiny.