Widespread and often violent protests erupted across Rajasthan on Monday, sparked by a Supreme Court decision that redefines the Aravalli mountain range for mining purposes. The ruling, which stipulates that only landforms 100 meters or more above ground level will be considered Aravalli hills, has ignited fury among various social organizations, Congress workers, and environmental activists. Protesters fear that this new standard will exclude over 90% of the Aravalli hills from conservation, posing a severe threat to the environment and its diverse wildlife.
The Aravalli Protection Movement Gains Momentum
The Supreme Court's decision on November 20, 2025, has become the focal point of a burgeoning movement to protect the Aravalli range. The redefinition, which limits the classification of Aravalli hills to those exceeding 100 meters in height, is seen by many as a loophole that could open vast tracts of the ancient mountain range to mining activities. Activists argue that this reclassification undermines decades of conservation efforts and jeopardizes the ecological balance of the region. The outcry has been swift and strong, with calls for the immediate withdrawal of the Supreme Court order.
Confrontation at Udaipur Collectorate
In Udaipur, a diverse coalition of organizations, including Congress workers, Karni Sena, the Finance Group, and various community associations, converged on the Collectorate to protest the decision, while they collectively demanded the revocation of the Supreme Court order, threatening aggressive demonstrations if their demands weren't met. The protest escalated into a physical altercation between Congress workers and the police, leading to the arrest of several activists. This incident highlights the growing tension and direct confrontation between the protesters and law enforcement agencies.
Opposition Leader's Strong Stance in Alwar
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully launched a scathing attack on the government from Alwar, asserting that the Aravalli range is the 'lungs of Rajasthan' and accusing the government of attempting to destroy it, while jully issued a challenge, vowing that the Aravalli wouldn't be allowed to perish and threatening an aggressive agitation by the Congress party if the decision isn't reversed. His strong statements have injected a significant political dimension into the environmental debate, with the opposition questioning the government's commitment to conservation.
Environmental Concerns and Wildlife Impact
Environmentalist Pawan Dhaka from Sikar made a poignant appeal, drawing an analogy: 'If a human is removed from their home and it's destroyed, they can still build a hut elsewhere, but what will the animals do? ' This powerful statement underscores the profound concerns about the impact of Aravalli's degradation on its rich biodiversity. The Aravalli range is a critical habitat for numerous species, and any disturbance to its ecological balance could have devastating consequences for its wildlife.
Lathi-Charge on NSUI Activists in Jodhpur
In Jodhpur, activists from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) also joined the protests, while during their demonstration, NSUI workers climbed barricades, prompting the police to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. This incident further intensified the protests and the confrontations between activists and the police, while while the crowd was eventually dispersed, the lathi-charge serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of the movement and the administration's response.
Central Minister Bhupender Yadav Dispels Misinformation
Addressing the escalating concerns, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav urged an end to the spread of misinformation regarding the Aravalli issue, while he clarified that out of the total 1. 44 lakh square kilometers of the Aravalli region, only a mere 0. 19% area might be eligible for mining, with the rest remaining protected and secure. Through a letter titled 'Ek Paati Alwar Ke Naam' (A Letter to Alwar), Yadav explicitly stated that the Aravalli is fully safe and that the Supreme Court's decision was made considering environmental protection, curbing illegal mining, and balancing development.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal's Assurance and Call for Action
Chief Minister Bhajanlal also weighed in on the matter, remarking that while people are displaying 'Save Aravalli' profile pictures, 'changing DPs alone doesn't work. ' He emphasized that 'work is done with strong willpower and by taking action. ' The Chief Minister urged the people of Rajasthan not to be misled and assured them that his government wouldn't allow any tampering with the Aravalli range. His statement aimed to reassure the public and underscore the government's commitment to the issue.
Water Resources Minister Suresh Rawat Addresses Misleading Claims
Water Resources Minister Suresh Rawat echoed the sentiment, stating that some individuals are misleading the public about Aravalli through social media. He referenced Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav's assurance that the Aravalli would be even more secure than before. Rawat affirmed that it's the government's responsibility to protect the. Range at all costs and that no compromises would be made. He also highlighted the government's efforts in planting millions of trees, showcasing their dedication to environmental conservation.
Clarification on Supreme Court's Aravalli Definition and Enhanced Protection
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav provided a detailed clarification, asserting that the Supreme Court's definition of Aravalli isn't new. He explained that it aligns with a report from a committee formed during the Gehlot government's tenure in 2002, which already defined Aravalli hills as those exceeding 100 meters in height from the local ground level, with mining prohibited on them, while yadav further elaborated that the definition of a hill exceeding 100 meters wouldn't be limited to just the peak but would include the entire area from the peak to the base. What's more, if two such hills are located within 500 meters of each other, the entire land between them would also be considered part of the Aravalli range. Because of this, the claim that the new definition would destroy 90 percent of Aravalli is entirely baseless; in reality, this definition will ensure the protection of over 90 percent of the Aravalli region.
Threat of Further Agitation in Kota
In response to the ongoing concerns, the Hadoti Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti and the Chambal Bachao Abhiyan Samiti have warned of an agitation in Kota to protect the Aravalli. Kundan Cheetah of the Chambal Bachao Abhiyan Samiti stated that the Aravalli mountain range is the lifeline for four states and that the court's decision would lead to the cutting down of areas below 100 meters, while expressing their unwillingness to witness environmental destruction, he announced that the agitation would commence in Kota from tomorrow. This indicates the potential for the movement to spread and intensify across the region.
Congress Leaders Accuse Government of Collusion
Opposition Leader Tika Ram Jully launched a fierce attack on the BJP regarding the Aravalli issue, stating that their 'death warrant' is signed and the entire BJP will have to pay the price, while he asserted that while the people of Rajasthan are innocent enough to elect them, they're also powerful enough to save the Aravalli. Jully accused the government of including farmers' land in Sariska under CTH while excluding mining land, claiming he never imagined they would 'sell off the Aravalli Mata of entire Rajasthan. ' In Ajmer, Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra also alleged that the Aravalli, which is everything to the people of Rajasthan, is being dug up to fill the government's own coffers. He called the government dictatorial and accused it of advocating against Aravalli in the Supreme Court under pressure from illegal mining mafias, promising large-scale protests.
Sikar MP's Warning Against Land Mafia
Sikar MP Amraram also voiced his strong concerns, stating that the Aravalli mountain range, which extends across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi, is being systematically destroyed under pressure from land mafias, which would ultimately lead to the end of life across the country. He warned that any attempt to hand over Aravalli to mafias wouldn't be tolerated under any circumstances. This statement underscores the national significance of the Aravalli range and the widespread opposition to its exploitation.
