After Ramdev, Jaggi Vasudev supports Sterlite plant
In a rather strange development, spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev has voiced his support for Vedanta-owned Sterlite copper plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. He said 'lynching large businesses is economic suicide'. His remark comes just days after Yoga guru Ramdev supported the plant. The copper smelting factory was shut down by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, after it was found that the establishment didn't follow environmental rules.
"Am not an expert on copper smelting, but I know India has immense use for copper. If we don't produce our own, of course, we will buy from China. Ecological violations can be addressed legally. Lynching large businesses is economic suicide," Jaggi Vasudev said.
Last month, locals took to streets to protest against the Sterlite plant. While the protestors were peaceful for the most part, on 100th day it took an ugly turn after police attacked them. In the police firing, 13 were killed and several got injured. But the authorities claimed it was done to retaliate the stone-pelting by protesters. Later, the plant was shut.
After meeting Vedanta's Executive Chairman Anil Agarwal and his wife in London, Baba Ramdev spoke in the plant's support and blamed 'international conspirators' for the ruckus. "Industries are the temples of development for the nation. They should not be closed," Ramdev had tweeted. He also thanked Agarwal for contributing to the nation and creating lakhs of jobs.
Speaking about the protests, Anil Agarwal said the copper plant is open to scrutiny by independent agencies and claimed his company became victim of 'fake activism'. "Such activists are time and again raking up the sentiments of the public for their vested interests that have now cost the lives of innocent people," he told. The NRI billionaire claimed Tuticorin's people would prosper with him.
