Rahul Gandhi opposes India offshore mining

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly condemning the Indian government's decision to permit offshore mining along the coasts of India — Kerala, India — Gujarat, and the India — Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He urged the cancellation of tenders for 13 offshore blocks, citing severe threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs, depletion of fish stocks, and adverse impacts on the livelihoods of millions of fisherfolk. Rahul Gandhi highlighted that the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, and subsequent tender invitations by the India — Ministry of Mines were met with strong objections and lacked rigorous environmental and socio-economic assessments or consultations with local stakeholders. The University of Kerala's Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) also found that offshore mining could devastate fish breeding, particularly in Kollam. Union ministers Devender Yadav and Kirti Vardhan Singh have defended the government's decision, stating that protected areas and fishing zones remain unaffected and that consultations occurred.