NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday released a 16-minute video of his April visit to Nicobar, showing him diving into the sea, trekking through dense forests, and interacting with tribals and locals. In the video, Gandhi accused the Modi government of lying about the Great Nicobar Project, asserting that it is not about defence or a transshipment port but rather aimed at benefiting a prominent businessman.
Allegations of Commercial Interests
Gandhi claimed that the project is designed to facilitate the construction of hotels and casinos on one of India's most ecologically irreplaceable ecosystems. He explicitly named "Adani" as the beneficiary. The Congress leader argued that the government's defence justification is a cover for commercial exploitation.
Online Petition Launched
Alongside the video, Gandhi initiated an online petition against the project, urging Indians to "choose green over greed." He appealed to the youth to consider the kind of India they wish to inherit: one where rainforests are bulldozed for casinos, coral reefs erased, tribal communities displaced, and the air poisoned, or one where natural heritage is protected, tribal communities are safe, and progress works in harmony with nature.
Environmental and Tribal Concerns
Gandhi highlighted that over 1.5 crore trees, ancient coral reefs, and irreplaceable rainforests are being destroyed to profit a single businessman. He suggested that if the government is genuinely concerned about defence on the island, it should abandon the project and instead expand INS Baaz, the naval base, which the Navy has been requesting for the past five years.
The Great Nicobar Project has faced widespread criticism from environmentalists and tribal rights activists, who warn of irreversible damage to the island's unique biodiversity and the displacement of indigenous communities. Gandhi's latest remarks have intensified the political debate over the project's true intentions.
