Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday downplayed the Opposition's criticism over deployment of army for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's event and said this was not for the first time that the Indian soldiers were deployed in a cultural event.
"Allegations have been levelled that the Home Ministry is giving special assistance in organising Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's World Cultural event, but I would like to say this is not the first time Army is being deployed in a cultural event," Prasad told ANI.
"We deploy army at the time of Kumbh mela, Moreover, the army was deployed when Yanni, a famous musician, held a concert at the Taj Mahal when Mulayam Singh was the Chief Minister. We do it for people's welfare and if the Congress is making an issue out of this it is highly unfortunate," he added.
The Opposition yesterday raised the issue of the Indian Army's involvement in the construction of pontoon bridges for the World Culture Festival, creating uproar in the Rajya Sabha.
CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury hit out at the Centre, asking why was the army being roped in for a private event following which the Opposition MPs raised slogans of 'Army ka galat istemaal mat karo, raksha karo'.