Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tajinder Bagga launched a sharp attack on Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over deforestation concerns in Telangana, by putting up striking hoardings across Delhi. The posters read: “Rahul Gandhi ji please stop cutting down our jungles in Telangana.”
The criticism follows recent controversy over the felling of trees in Kancha Gachibowli, a forested area near Hyderabad University. The issue has sparked public outcry and legal action, with the Supreme Court stepping in on April 3 to halt any further activity at the site.
Taking suo moto cognizance, a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih warned the Telangana Chief Secretary of serious consequences if its orders were not followed. The Court questioned the urgency behind the development work and demanded clarification on whether required environmental and forest clearances had been obtained.
“The report of the Registrar (Judicial) and accompanying photographs paint an alarming picture,” the bench noted. “A large number of trees have been felled, and heavy machinery has been used to clear about 100 acres. Wildlife, including peacocks and deer, have been sighted in the area, suggesting it’s a forest zone.”
The Supreme Court also directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to visit the site and file a report by April 16.
The controversy has ignited a broader debate around environmental conservation versus urban expansion, especially in Hyderabad’s tech corridor. Bagga’s hoardings add a political dimension to the environmental concerns, calling out Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for their alleged role in the ecological damage.
