Raipur: Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel linked sand mining to Lord Ram and BJP’s efficiency to curb sand mining has put the issue of illegal sand mining in limelight again. Baghel criticized the Sai government by sharing a video of illegal sand mining on his X account, remarking, “Hey Ram.”
He pointed out that the BJP, which engages in vote bank politics on Ram’s name, has allowed the sand mafia to carry out the illegal sand mining from the Mavi river. It is the same river that Lord Ram entered into Chhattisgarh crossing it and has high religious importance.
The video posted is of Sitamarhi Harchoka situated in Manendragarh-Chrimiri-Bharatpur district and the river shown is the Mawai River, which connects Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
According to local mythology and religious beliefs, Lord Ram, Mother Sita, and Lord Lakshman crossed this river during their exile and spent time in Harchoka, making it a significant site for Hindus.
Baghel’s post intensified the political discourse surrounding illegal sand mining, putting the BJP on the defensive mode.
In Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, a day earlier, a sand mafia had threatened and abused villagers, with a related video going viral and further fuelling political tensions over illegal sand mining.
During the 2023 assembly elections, Renuka Singh, a candidate from Bharatpur Sonhat and now an MLA, assured villagers that sand mining would not be permitted and vowed to halt the activities of those involved.
She stated, “No one has the power to go against the people’s sentiments. The work of all sand mafias must stop.”
Despite these promises, illegal sand mining in the Mawai River persisted.
On Tuesday night, the sand mafia clashed with villagers protesting against illegal sand mining and transportation near Harchoka, allegedly beating them and attempting to confiscate their phones used to document the incident.
Residents also reported increased sand mining activities in the Mahanadi and Hasdeo rivers, facilitated by Chain Mountain Machines.
The action taken by the Mining Department and the government seems efficient in the context. Congress already blamed the BJP government for providing patronage to the sand mafia. However, on the issue the government has not made any official statement yet.
