A fresh political and environmental storm is brewing in Rajasthan, centered on the future of the ancient Aravalli hill range. The flashpoint is a Supreme Court-approved redefinition of what constitutes the Aravallis, a move that has triggered widespread public concern, viral social media campaigns, and a fierce political tug-of-war between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
The Core of the Controversy: A New Definition
The controversy stems from a new definition proposed by a committee under the Union Environment Ministry and formally approved by the Supreme Court on November 20, 2025. This definition classifies the Aravallis as any landform with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief, including its slopes and adjacent land.
Environmentalists and citizens fear this benchmark could open up nearly 90% of the hill range—areas below the 100-metre threshold—to potential mining and development activities. This anxiety is rooted in a long history of legal and illegal mining that has degraded the ecologically sensitive range, which acts as a natural barrier against desertification for the National Capital Region (NCR).
While the Environment Ministry has clarified that no new mining leases will be granted until a detailed study is completed, as mandated by the court, the public distrust remains high.
Political Mobilization and Factional Fault Lines
The issue has provided the Congress, which governs nearly two-thirds of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan, a potent political opportunity. However, the party's response has highlighted its internal divisions.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot moved swiftly, launching a "Save Aravalli" social media campaign on December 18. He changed his profile picture and urged others to follow, positioning himself at the forefront. However, state party president Govind Singh Dotasra and former deputy CM Sachin Pilot did not immediately join his online push, revealing familiar factional lines.
On the ground, Congress leaders led an "Aravalli Bachao" march in Jaipur, drawing a few thousand supporters. Pilot is scheduled to join a separate march on December 26 organized by the NSUI, his student wing loyalists. The Indian Youth Congress also started an online petition that gathered nearly 21,000 signatures.
Dotasra acknowledged the fragmented protests and announced unified awareness drives, calling the redefinition a "conspiracy to hand over the Aravallis to the mining mafia."
BJP's Uphill Task and Counter-Narrative
The ruling BJP faces a complex challenge. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also holds the mines portfolio, and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav hails from Alwar, an Aravalli-dominated district.
The BJP has hit back, accusing the Congress of hypocrisy. Senior leader Rajendra Rathore pointed out that a similar 100-metre definition was adopted during the Gehlot government in 2003. CM Sharma asserted, "The Aravalli is completely safe. It is not just a mountain—it is our identity," dismissing the Congress's online campaign as insufficient.
Despite this, the palpable public unease has forced the BJP to engage with the issue at multiple levels to contain the political fallout.
Beyond Politics: A Groundswell of Civic Anger
The outrage extends far beyond political parties. Civil society groups, environmentalists, school children, and local communities across districts like Udaipur, Sirohi, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu have held numerous protests. A newly formed "Aravalli Bachao Sangharsh Samiti" and other citizen collectives have taken to the streets, many wary of aligning directly with the Congress.
While viral videos have amplified the sense of mass mobilization, many of these visuals have been from unrelated protests. The on-ground gatherings, though significant, have not yet matched the scale of the online outrage. However, the widespread civic engagement indicates the issue has deeply resonated, particularly in the pollution-prone NCR region that relies on the Aravallis for ecological security.
As the Congress attempts to consolidate the narrative and the BJP works to defuse it, the battle over the Aravallis is poised to intensify in the coming days, testing the political strategies of both major parties in Rajasthan.
