Ramesh says he felt like 'Shikhandi' in environment ministry

"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.

"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.

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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.