The Congress party on Saturday launched a widespread public agitation, the 'Aravalli Bachao Janjagran' campaign, across Rajasthan to mobilize opposition against a recent Supreme Court decision concerning the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range. The party organized foot marches, garnered support from youth and tribal communities, and submitted memoranda addressed to the President of India to district administrations.
Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on Government
In Alwar, Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition, Tikaram Jully, led the charge with sharp criticism of the Modi government. He reiterated the Congress's "Chowkidar Chor hai" slogan and warned that those attempting to damage "Mother Aravalli" would face the curse of the local deity, Bhartrihari Baba. Jully termed the move a "well-planned conspiracy to destroy Aravalli."
He escalated the allegations by revealing that a complaint lodged with the Prime Minister's Office six months ago, regarding the mining mafia demanding a bribe of Rs 5 crore, had gone unanswered. This, he stated, contradicted Union ministers' claims that only 0.19% of the Aravallis are being mined and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's assurances of protection for the hills.
"The same complaint was also given to CBI, CID, and ACB, but even after five months have passed, investigation has not even started. This makes it clear that the govt is giving protection to the mining mafia," Jully asserted.
Congress Vows Sustained Movement, Draws Farmer Law Parallel
Congress MP Bhanwar Jitendra Singh drew a parallel with the farm laws, claiming the BJP government would be compelled to withdraw its "diktat" on the Aravallis just as it repealed the three agricultural laws. He labeled the environment ministry's proposal a "black law" that must be retracted in the public interest, vowing that the Congress would persist with the movement involving every social section until the government relents.
Adding to the criticism, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra called the Aravallis the "lifeline of common people" and insisted they cannot be endangered for the "personal trade and 'business' of BJP leaders." He accused the government of first targeting the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) and now the Aravalli, warning, "This is just the beginning against this 'dumb, deaf and useless' govt; the end is yet to come."
Grassroots Mobilization: Youth and Tribals Join Protests
The campaign witnessed significant on-ground mobilization. The Congress foot marches saw active participation from youth and tribal communities. Young supporters danced to slogans of ‘Aravalli Hamein Bachani Hai’, while tribal women protested through traditional ‘Meenawati’ songs. In a show of solidarity, many youths painted ‘Aravalli Bachao’ on their foreheads and even shaved their heads.
Protests were held in multiple cities including Jaipur, where the City Congress organized a march from the state party headquarters to Shaheed Smarak. A memorandum addressed to the President of India was subsequently handed over to the police commissioner.
The campaign centers on opposing the Supreme Court's acceptance of the Union environment ministry's proposal for a new 100-meter definition for the Aravallis, which the Congress argues will open the door to rampant mining and ecological destruction.
