New Delhi: "I had become Shikhandi in
Environment and Forest Ministry," Rural Development Minister
Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said on facing the brunt of attacks on
land acquisition for various projects.
In the epic Mahabharata, Shikhandi, a transsexual, was
used as a human shield by Arjuna against Bhishma.
The Minister was talking to reporters on the Land
Acquisition Bill, which is being drafted with the
participation of senior members of National Advisory Council
and the Planning Commission.
"But Medha Patkar is not involved in drafting it. I
hope that she will be very happy with the draft," Ramesh said
and referred to the issues he faced while giving sanction for
land acquisition as the Environment and Forest Minister.
"I had become Shikhandi in Environment and Forest
Ministry. I was attacked on the issue of land acquisition," he
said.
PTI
