Scindia says not against development projects

Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia today denied the BJP's allegations that he had opposed closure of the gates of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river in Gujarat.
Scindia, who represents Guna Lok Sabha seat, said he was not against development, but only wanted proper rehabilitation of dam oustees in Madhya Pradesh before the closure of the gates in months of June and July this year.
The former Union minister, who campaigned in the city today for the Congress for the next month's polls, said he is in favour of developmental projects anywhere in the country.
His remarks came on a day Gujarat deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel asked Scindia to apologise to the people of Gujarat for "opposing" the Narmada dam project, before canvassing in the state.

"It is duty of a leader to support any developmental project in any part of the country. Scindia family has always supported development," Scindia told reporters here.
He alleged the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh had "failed" to comply with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which had awarded proper resettlement of the dam oustees.

"The voice raised by me was against the Madhya Pradesh government and not against Gujarat," Scindia said.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of creating an environment of "intolerance" in the country.
"Look at the case of Rohith Vemula (the University of Hyderabad student who had committed suicide last year)...look at the case of Mohammed Akhlaq (who was allegedly lynched on allegations of storing beef in 2015 in Uttar Pradesh)...look at numerous cases of killings in the name of cow protection. They (BJP) are creating an environment of intolerance," he said.

Scindia evaded queries on the row surrounding the upcoming Bollywood film "Padmavati".
Gujarat BJP leader I K Jadeja had demanded a ban on the release of the film while former Congress leader Shankarsinh had Vaghela threatened violence if the film is released without a pre-release screening and approval of the Rajput community.
Scindia also criticised the BJP government on the issue of thrashing of dalits in Una.
"As many as 50 lakh dalits of Gujarat are facing atrocities. Una was the worst example of it," he said.