The political battle over the ecologically fragile Aravalli range has intensified, with the Congress party launching a direct attack on Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. The opposition has demanded his immediate resignation following a significant decision by the Supreme Court of India.
Supreme Court Puts Aravalli Order on Hold
In a crucial development on 29 December 2025, the Supreme Court decided to keep its previous order concerning the Aravalli hills in abeyance. This judicial pause has sparked a fresh wave of controversy, placing the central government's environmental policies under severe scrutiny. The court's move is seen as a pivotal moment in the long-standing legal and environmental battle to protect the ancient mountain range.
Congress Launches Scathing Attack
Leading the charge for the Congress, senior leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh issued a strong condemnation. Ramesh asserted that even before the Supreme Court's latest order, there was mounting evidence of how the proposed new definition of the Aravallis would wreak further havoc. He argued that this redefinition threatens an ecosystem that is already severely devastated and on the brink of irreversible damage.
The core of the Congress's accusation is that the Union Environment Ministry, under Bhupender Yadav's leadership, is facilitating changes that could lead to massive ecological destruction. The party holds the minister directly responsible for policies that they believe undermine conservation efforts in the Aravalli region.
Ecological and Political Fallout
The demand for resignation marks a significant escalation in the political discourse surrounding environmental governance in India. The Aravalli hills, spanning several states, act as a critical green barrier against desertification and are a major groundwater recharge zone. Any alteration in their legal definition could potentially open up vast tracts of forest land for commercial and real estate development.
The controversy hinges on the technical definition of what constitutes the 'Aravallis'. A narrower definition would exclude large areas from protective regulations, a move environmentalists and the opposition claim would be disastrous. The Supreme Court's decision to stay its own order suggests a complex judicial review is underway, adding layers of uncertainty to the region's future.
This incident is likely to fuel further debate on the balance between development and conservation, setting the stage for a major confrontation between the ruling dispensation and the opposition on the floor of Parliament and in the public arena.
