A picture of Rajasthan minister Shambhu Singh Khetasar urinating in open went viral on social media on Monday. In the viral image, Khetasar can be seen urinating near a wall with a poster of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The picture was captured near a BJP rally venue on Sunday.
On being questioned upon the incident, Khatesar, who is the chairman of Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation, defended himself by saying urinating in the open was ‘an age-old tradition’.
Urination alone does not contribute to uncleanliness, he claimed.
“As far as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is concerned, urination alone doesn’t contribute to uncleanliness,” the minister said.
Defending himself on the viral photo, Khatesar also denied relieving himself near a BJP poster, saying it was at a distance and he did not pay attention.
The minister also said there was no urinal nearby for kilometres at a stretch and he had a busy morning due to the election rally.
“That place did not have urinals for kilometres at a stretch. There was a wall and some posters stuck at some distance on it. I hadn’t paid attention,” he said.
On being asked about the cleanliness drive being carried out the government, Khetasar defended his actions by saying it did not disrupt the prime minister’s Clean India Mission.
Urinating in a secluded area was not an issue, he said.
“It isn’t right to urinate in open but it’s a nature’s call. Urinating in a crowded area is wrong as it causes diseases,” he said.
According to the data on the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) site, 27 out of 33 districts in Rajasthan have been declared open-defecation free.
Latest India News
