Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has launched a sharp attack on Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav over the controversial Aravalli issue, accusing him of having a "guilty conscience" and misleading the public. Gehlot's comments came in an exclusive interview following the Supreme Court's decision to stay its own November 20 order that had accepted a new definition of the Aravalli range.
Supreme Court's Stay and the Public Movement
Gehlot welcomed the Supreme Court's recent intervention, which put a hold on its earlier order from November 20, 2025. That order had accepted a Centre-proposed definition from October 13, which environmentalists argued would strip protections from nearly 90% of the Aravalli hills, opening them up to mining and development.
The stay was granted by the court citing "public dissent," a point Gehlot emphasized. He credited a massive public movement that transcended politics, involving students, youth, activists, and common citizens. "The support from the public which rose above politics... created such an environment that the SC took suo moto cognisance," Gehlot stated, referring to the online campaign urging people to change their display pictures in solidarity.
Countering Allegations and Pointing Fingers
The Congress leader vehemently countered accusations from the BJP and Minister Yadav that the opposition was spreading misinformation. Yadav had claimed that new mining could only occur in 0.19% of the area under the proposed definition.
Gehlot dismissed this argument, stating, "Even if you consider 0.19%, that is still an enormous area where you can have over 27,000 legal mines." He warned that this would also provide cover for rampant illegal mining. He directly challenged Yadav's motives, saying, "I believe that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav himself has a guilty conscience, hence he is levelling such allegations."
He pointed to the minister's own constituency, Alwar, alleging a rushed attempt in June 2025 to change the Protected Area status of the Sariska Tiger Reserve to allow mining. Gehlot claimed the Rajasthan State Wildlife Board, National Tiger Conservation Authority, and National Board for Wildlife's standing committee approved the proposal within three consecutive days (June 24-26).
Historical Allotments and Political Sparring
Addressing BJP allegations that mining leases were generously allotted during his tenure and even to his family members, Gehlot offered a rebuttal. He called the family allotment claim a one-hectare misunderstanding that was rectified immediately in the Assembly.
"Mines must've been allotted during every government's tenure, be it Vasundhara (Raje) ji's or ours. What does that have to do with what's happening now?" he argued, deflecting the historical blame game. He stressed that the current controversy is about a systemic change in environmental protection, not past lease allocations.
Gehlot also criticized the Centre for dismantling the independent Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that reported directly to the Supreme Court, replacing it with a committee that reports to the Environment Ministry. "That committee is merely a formality now," he claimed, demanding the old system's restoration.
The Road Ahead for the Aravallis
Gehlot framed the fight for the Aravallis as a battle for future generations and public health. He linked the range's preservation directly to the air quality crisis in the national capital region, calling Delhi a "gas chamber."
"If it's destroyed, then the environment will be thrown off balance... The desert may reach Delhi," he cautioned, highlighting the Aravallis' role as a natural barrier. He mocked recent reassurances from Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma that "not a single stone" would be damaged, calling it "jumlebaazi" (rhetoric) while active mining continues.
On the Congress's multiple campaigns led by different leaders like Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Sachin Pilot, Gehlot saw no disunity. He called it a non-political mass movement where even 50 separate campaigns would be insufficient. The future course, he said, depends on the Supreme Court's final decision and the government's approach. The interview, conducted by Hamza Khan, was first published on December 30, 2025.
