On March 25, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) which challenges the Gujarat government’s proposed redevelopment of Sabarmati Ashram.
Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, petitioned the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court refused to interfere with the government’s proposal. The SC will hear the matter next week.
The PIL was heard by the bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising appeared for the applicant. She urged the apex court to hear the matter on an urgent basis. The apex court is expected to hear the matter next week.
Important to note here is that before the Gujarat High Court, the state government had vowed that the proposal envisages redevelopment of the land around the ashram while the one acre of land on which the ashram itself stands would not be touched.
In opposition to this, the petition before the Supreme Court emphasizes the importance of the land around the Ashram and its importance as a source of inspiration from the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The change in the land around the Sabarmati river, if passed, would go against the principles of the simplicity of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, the petition argues before the Supreme Court. The case will come up for hearing before the Supreme Court next week through virtual hearing mode.
Picture Courtesy: Hanif Sindhi
