Tamil Nadu minister for Fisheries, D Jayakumar said that the state government is firm on not reopening Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi and that the government does not care about Ramdev’s and Jaggi Vasudev’s views on the smelter plant.
Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, he said, “Sterlite plant will not be reopened. We have taken a firm stand. We don't care about views of Ramdev and Sadhguru. Sterlite has been permanently closed.”
His reaction was a reference to Yoga teacher Baba Ramdev’s tweet on Monday that industries are temples of development and it should not be closed. He tweeted this after meeting Vedanta’s Executive Chairman Anil Agrawal in London. He also said that ‘international conspirators’ had created ruckus in a Sterlite plant in ‘South of India’.
(1/2) Met @AnilAgarwal_Ved ji during my London visit. I salute his contribution in the national building process by creating lacs of jobs and economic prosperity pic.twitter.com/dcmMCcvTg0
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) June 25, 2018
(2/2) International conspirators created ruckus at one of Vedanta’s plant in South of India through innocent local people. Industries are the temples of development for the nation. They should not be closed
— Swami Ramdev (@yogrishiramdev) June 25, 2018
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.-Sg @Zakka_Jacob @CMOTamilNadu@PMOIndia
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) June 27, 2018
Jaggi Vasudev responded to the minister’s comment saying he did not recommend the reopening of any industry. He added that it was the government’s duty to ensure there are no violations and seek legal recourse in case of disputes. He further said that ‘getting citizens on the street and getting them killed’ is not the way.
Dear Minister, I did not recommend reopening of any industry. First of all it is for the govt to ensure there are no violations, if any dispute legal recourse.... -Sg 1/2 @djayakumarfans @ndtv @IndianExpress @Actor_Siddharth https://t.co/T2YdjMyVpj
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) June 28, 2018
...Getting citizens on the street and getting them killed when out of control is not the way. I know there is lot of emotion but sense should not hurt.This is our Bharat in 21st century. Not pre-1947. -Sg 2/2 @djayakumarfans @ndtv @IndianExpress @Actor_Siddharth
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) June 28, 2018
Vedanta’s Sterlite copper smelter plant was shut down by the government of Tamil Nadu on May 28. 13 civilians lost their lives when the police opened fire on them during the protest on May 22