A simmering controversy seems to have marred the pomp and gaiety of the North East Youth Festival in Majuli.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ban on the pictures of ministers at the government advertisements and display, a section of ministers and political leaders is finding places at the hoardings available at the festival venue on the river island.
These ministers and political leaders include union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Congress minister Rajivluchan Pegu, NPP president PA Sangma.
“Since it is a government sponsored event that’s why, it is not fare for the authorities to put the hoardings containing the photographs of the ministers and political leaders, said GK Hazarika who is one of the local resident and social activists.
Talking to Assam Times Ranjan Saikia, a local student of law called it a violation of court order. “Why the political people be allowed to steal the show at a government sponsored event. The country’s apex court disallowed the political leaders from being highlighted at the expense of the public exchequer,” he said.
A senior BJP leader who told Assam Times refusing to be named that the Supreme Court order was confined to the media display and hoardings on the streets. He said that the hoardings are being put only in the event which will be displayed as soon as the event will be over.
Notably, in a recent landmark order a bench of Supreme Court headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi restricted government hoardings and displays containing political leaders.
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