Swarna Shukla –
Published On: November 25, 2021 at 18:10 IST
The Gujarat High Court disposed of a Plea filed by Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi challenging the decision of the Gujarat Government to redevelop Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad at the estimated cost of Rs.1,200-crore.
The Bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shastri observed that all the fears and apprehensions of the Petitioner stood allayed in the Order of the Government itself.
Petitioner Counsel contended that since the Ashram is a historical monument and therefore, the same was required to be preserved, protected and should be maintained.
In the Plea, Gandhi had also contended that the redevelopment project proposed was ‘diametrically opposed’ to the personal wishes of Mahatma Gandhi and that, going ahead with the project would lead to the reduction of the shrine and memorial of the freedom movement and turning the ashram into a commercial tourist attraction spot.
The Advocate General for Gujarat, Kamal Trivedi made a statement that the revamp plan won’t disturb the existing Gandhi/Sabarmati Ashram (on Sabarmati Riverfront) and that all efforts would be made for the improvement of the Ashram.
Pursuing the Government’s order, the Court, noted that to preserve the history of Gandhi Ji and his role in the freedom struggle, and to promote and educate the great ideas, values, and teachings of Gandhiji, the Government came up with the project.
The Court also noted that the Government had come up with the comprehensive proposal to revamp the Gandhi Ashram and it had even constituted a governing council which comprises of several representatives, including the representatives from Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.