New Delhi : The Opposition grilled the Modi Government in the Rajya Sabha for an hour on promoting the spiritual gurus and questioning the way it was helping out Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in organising a mega event on the banks of the Yamuna here and even providing military services to build two pontoon bridges on the river.
The issue was brought into focus by Janata Dal president Sharad Yadav, citing the ecological damage already caused by the organisers with massive constructions on the flood plains of the river that has also affected the nearby bird sanctuary.
The Opposition members stormed into the well and raised slogans when junior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi asserted that the credentials of Sri Sri’s foundation in protecting environment cannot be questioned and they are holding the programme with all permissions and there is nothing illegal. Moreover, he claimed it was sub judice and hence cannot be raised in the House as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was hearing it.
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While Deputy Chairman P J Kurien kept telling the agitated Opposition to wait for the NGT decision and not criticise (Sri Sri) who can’t come and defend himself in the House. Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Opposition was not against any Art of Living but it was certainly concerned over the damage caused to environment, biodiversity and ecology.
Leader of House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, quoted Rule 169 that bars any discussion in the House on a case pending before any court. There cannot be parallel proceedings here as well as in the NGT, he said.
Nominated member K T S Tulsi, a noted senior lawyer, rushed to Sharad Yadav’s front seat and showed him the rules that the Rule bars discussion on any case pending in any court but not if it is before any Tribunal.
With this information, Yadav challenged Jaitley, who could be seen searching in the books for the next ten minutes to find an answer until the Chair adjourned the House for a while. The issue died down when Chairman Hamid Ansari took the chair and started the question hour.