Himalaya Niti Abhiyan pays its heartfelt tribute to Jagjit Singh Dukhiya
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved comrade, Jagjit Singh Dukhiya. He left us on the 26th of October, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to the people and the environment.
Born on the 15th of September, 1940, Dukhiya ji’s life was one of service. After a formal career with the Health Department from which he retired in 1999, he truly found his calling in social work. He dedicated his energy to causes close to his heart, including the welfare work of Gau Sadan. His leadership was the guiding force for the Him Pravas Nalagarh organization, which he steered from 2007 until 2022.
Dukhiya ji was not an activist in an office; he was a leader on the front lines. In the Nalagarh-Solan region, he became the voice of the people, fearlessly leading numerous movements. He waged long and difficult battles against the scourges of pollution and illegal riverbed mining. His determination was legendary, taking the fight against mining all the way to the Himachal Pradesh High Court—and winning.
Perhaps his most defining struggle was against the JP Group’s Bagheri Thermal Power Plant. This was not a small protest; it was a massive people’s movement. Thousands of local residents and farmers from neighbouring Punjab stood with him, united in their cause. The fight moved from the streets to the courts, and after a gruelling legal battle, justice prevailed. The JP company was not only forced to scrap the plant but was also slapped with a staggering fine of one hundred crore rupees—a landmark victory for the common person.
Dukhiya ji and his organization, Him Paryavaran, were the bedrock of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, a partnership built on shared struggle and deep trust. He was a cornerstone of our campaign and a vibrant force in Himachal’s people’s movements. His influence extended nationally as a member of the executive of the MMP, the national platform against mining, and he was a steadfast presence in other movements like INSAF.
Comrade Dukhiya may have left us, but the forests he helped save, the rivers he protected, and the spirit of resistance he ignited will forever bear his imprint.
The Himalaya Niti Abhiyan pays its heartfelt tribute to a true warrior of the people.
