Congress leader Sachin Pilot launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan, accusing it of failing to protect the ecologically critical Aravalli range from rampant illegal mining. Leading a protest march in Jaipur on Thursday, December 26, 2025, Pilot stated that the ground reality starkly contradicts official claims of strict enforcement.
"Every Child Knows": Pilot Exposes Ground Reality
Addressing a 'Save Aravalli, Save Future' foot march organized by the Rajasthan unit of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress National General Secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister did not mince words. "Every child knows illegal mining is going on," Pilot told The Indian Express. He emphasized that affidavits submitted in court tell one story, but the visible, on-ground destruction tells another.
Pilot alleged that these destructive activities are continuing under "unknown pressure and unknown blessings," endangering a mountain range that acts as a natural shield for North India. He stressed that the Aravallis are crucial for maintaining environmental balance and ensuring water security for the region spanning Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi.
Data Reveals Loophole Threatening 90% of Aravallis
Citing data from the Forest Survey of India, Pilot criticized the state government's stance in the Supreme Court regarding the redefinition of the Aravalli hills. He revealed a critical concern: if only hills above 100 metres in height are classified as part of the Aravalli range, then 90 to 95 percent of the hills would be left unprotected.
He provided the numbers to back his claim: out of over 1.19 lakh hills, only 1,048 are above 100 metres. The remaining 1.18 lakh, which fall below this threshold, would be stripped of legal safeguards, opening them up for potential exploitation. Pilot pointed out that while new mining leases are banned, thousands of cases of illegal mining have been registered across more than a dozen districts in the past two years, highlighting a systemic enforcement failure.
Protest March and Family Participation
The protest held historical significance as it marked the first public political demonstration where Sachin Pilot was joined by his son, Araan Pilot. The NSUI march commenced outside the Jalupura police station under the leadership of state president Vinod Jakhar. The enthusiasm saw activists briefly carrying Jakhar on their shoulders as the procession moved forward.
However, the march, which was intended to proceed to the Collectorate, was halted by police at the Government Hostel intersection. Authorities informed the protesters that their permission was valid only up to that point. After a warning that any further advance would lead to legal action, the demonstration was concluded at the spot.
This protest followed a torchlight march led by Gen Z activists a day earlier from Rambagh Circle to Amar Jawan Jyoti. Activist Kartikeya Bhardwaj, who spearheaded that event, described it as a wake-up call for Jaipur's youth, warning that the Aravallis are now under severe threat after the destruction of areas like Dhol Bagh, constituting an attack on citizens' right to clean air.
Beyond criticizing the government's inaction, Sachin Pilot also raised the issue of rehabilitation, demanding proper support and compensation for communities whose lives and livelihoods have been adversely affected by mining activities in the region.
