The Opposition on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decisionto stay its November 20 order redefining the Aravalli range, saying the move amounted to a rejection of the Centre’s stand on the issue. Party leaders described the order as a victory for people’s collective struggle and announced that the Congress had suspended its agitation for the protection of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan after the top court put its earlier directions on the definition of the hills in abeyance.
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadavsaid the Centre would extend full support for protecting and restoring the Aravallis.
What did the SC say?
On Monday, the Supreme Court “put in abeyance” its November 20 ruling that had accepted an expert committee’s recommendation to define the Aravallis only on the basis of elevation. Under that definition, only landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding area – measured from the lowest contour around the landform to its peak – would qualify as Aravalli hills.
Taking up the matter suo motu, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kantand justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih also suggested setting up a high-powered expert committee to examine concerns related to the height-based definition, ecological continuity and permissible mining.
“I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues. We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range,” Yadav said in a post on X (formerly twitter).
I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues.
We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range.…
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) December 29, 2025
“As things stand, a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases.” he added.
Congress calls ruling a ‘flicker of hope’
The Congress welcomed the verdict, saying the Supreme Court’s directive offered a “flicker of hope” for efforts to protect the Aravallis. “The Indian National Congress welcomes the directives given by the Supreme Court on the redefinition of the Aravallis being pushed through by the Modi Government,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.
ALSO READAravalli Hills SC hearing: SC stays Nov 20 order on new definition of Aravalli Hills, CJI says ‘resolve critical ambiguities’
Ramesh said the issue required detailed examination, pointing out that the new definition had been “opposed by the Forest Survey of India, the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court, and by the amicus curiae himself”.
“There is now a temporary respite but the struggle to save the Aravallis from the machinations of the Modi Government to open it up to mining, real estate, and other activities will have to be resisted in a sustained manner,” he said. “Today’s Supreme Court directive gives a flicker of hope.”
#WATCH सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने अरावली पहाड़ियों और अरावली रेंज की सेंट्रल पर्यावरण मंत्रालय की परिभाषा को स्वीकार करने के अपने पहले के फैसले (जो 20 नवंबर को जारी किया गया था) को "स्थगित" कर दिया है।
कांग्रेस सांसद जयराम रमेश ने कहा, "आज सुप्रीम कोर्ट में बिल्कुल दूध का दूध पानी का पानी… pic.twitter.com/zPtOVOFkyv
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) December 29, 2025
The former environment minister also renewed his demand for Yadav’s resignation, saying: “The Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change must resign immediately. It is a rejection of all the arguments he has been giving in favour of the redefinition.”
Aaditya Thackeray seeks permanent protection for Aravallis
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also welcomed the court’s move, saying the relief, while significant, needed to be made permanent.
“I hope that we are able to bring the strongest protection to the Aravalli Range and to nature across the country,” he said in a post on X. “It is also important that we don’t fall prey to the misinformation campaign being run to say that Aravalli Range is safe –– it is NOT with the government’s intent to redefine it and sell it off,” he wrote on X.
It’s good to see another stay from the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the bail of Rape Convict Kuldeep, ex MLA of bjp.
It was truly horrendous and disgusting to see how a rape convict can be let easy by law, and miscarriage of justice.
I hope the Supreme Court ensures the harshest…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) December 29, 2025
Environmental experts and conservationists had earlier raised concerns about the new definition, saying it excluded large areas of smaller hills, ridges, and undulating terrain that form part of the Aravallis’ continuous geological and ecological system. They warned that this could open these areas to mining and development.
ALSO READSC takes cognisance of Aravalli case; report reveals court panel warned against mining leases days before 100m order
The issue gained further traction after the Union environment ministry held a meeting on December 8 to begin groundwork for marking Aravalli areas “as per the definition accepted by the Supreme Court on November 20”. This exercise was meant to serve as the base for preparing a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
This delineation process is now expected to be put on hold until the Supreme Court settles the definition issue. |
