Patna, March 9: Deputy chief minister Tejaswi today attacked the Centre for engaging the army to build pontoon bridges for spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's cultural festival on the Yamuna in Delhi.

"On the one hand, the BJP gives certificates on nationalism, on the other it asks army jawans to erect pontoon bridges for a private event," Tejaswi said. "I am shocked. This is an insult to the personnel. It would bring down their morale."

He asked the defence ministry to tender an apology to all jawans deputed for the work. The ministry has said the army helped the organisers over security and safety concerns, as lakhs of people are expected to gather for the event.

"Apart from guarding the border, soldiers are deployed at the time of calamity," Tejaswi said. "But the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar event is neither related to disaster nor to any natural calamity. How can the defence ministry ask jawans to work for a private event? Art of Living is a big name. Don't they have their own volunteers? What about the RSS people? They are fit for the job, as they roam around in half pants carrying sticks," Tejaswi said.

President Pranab Mukherjee has already withdrawn his name from the three-day festival, beginning Friday. He was to attend the concluding ceremony on Sunday.

The deputy chief minister clarified he had nothing to do with the festival or the people organising it. He also does not know what equation Prime Minister Narendra Modi has with the spiritual guru, he said. "These are matters of faith. I do not want to comment on them. My only concern is why the army and not private contractors were called to erect the pontoon bridge," Tejaswi said.

"It reflects the Centre's attitude. On one end, our soldiers are sacrificing their lives while doing duty at upper reaches like Siachen and on the other, they are being treated like mazdoors (labourers). I don't think they deserve such treatment. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar must apologise," Tejaswi said before leaving the Assembly.