Senior Congress leader Deepender Hooda has launched a sharp attack on the central government, labelling its recently issued guidelines concerning the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range as "misleading" and an outright "attempt to loot." The accusation, made on December 26, 2025, centers on the government's legal push to formalize a specific definition for the hills in the Supreme Court.
Allegations of Misleading the Public and the Court
Hooda asserted that the people have firmly rejected the manner in which the government presented its case before the top court. The core of the controversy is the government's effort to get a 100-metre definition for the Aravallis approved by the Supreme Court. Critics, including the Congress, argue that such a narrow definition could potentially exclude vast stretches of the fragile hill range from legal protection, opening them up for real estate and mining interests.
"The guidelines issued by the Centre on the Aravalli issue are misleading," Hooda stated unequivocally. He framed the move not as an environmental safeguard but as a strategic maneuver to enable exploitation. "This is an attempt to loot," he added, using strong language to condemn the government's approach.
The Supreme Court Battle and Public Sentiment
The political firestorm stems from an ongoing legal battle where the definition and protection of the Aravalli ecosystem are at stake. The Aravalli hills, a crucial natural barrier against desertification in North India, have been subject to intense degradation due to illegal mining and construction over decades. Environmentalists have long advocated for a broad and inclusive definition to ensure maximum protection.
Hooda emphasized that the public sentiment is against the government's stance. "The people have rejected the way the government presented its case in the top court to get the 100-metre definition approved," he said. This suggests that the opposition views the issue as one with significant public resonance, where environmental conservation is pitted against developmental pressures.
Political and Environmental Repercussions
The allegations bring the contentious issue of environmental governance and land use back into the forefront of national politics. By accusing the ruling dispensation of attempting a "loot," the Congress has positioned itself as the defender of the Aravallis, aiming to tap into growing ecological concerns among voters, particularly in regions like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR that are directly impacted by the health of this mountain range.
The outcome of the Supreme Court's deliberation on the definition will have far-reaching consequences. A restrictive interpretation could:
- Weaken legal safeguards for large parts of the Aravallis.
- Accelerate real estate development in previously protected zones.
- Lead to increased environmental hazards like air pollution and water scarcity.
As of now, the central government has not issued a formal response to Hooda's allegations. The development sets the stage for a heated political and legal confrontation over the future of one of India's oldest mountain ranges.
