SC rejects Tushar Gandhi's plea on Sabarmati Ashram redevelopment

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea filed by Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, challenging the Gujarat government's acquisition of the Sabarmati Ashram. The petition raised concerns over the government's decision to redevelop the historic site, claiming it contradicts the principles of Gandhism and violates constitutional provisions safeguarding national monuments.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal rejected the special leave petition, which sought to overturn the Gujarat High Court's dismissal of a challenge to a 2021 government resolution concerning the comprehensive development of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial and its precincts. The plea argued that the acquisition, framed as a development project, threatened the spirit and ethos of Gandhism and violated Article 39 and Article 49 of the Constitution, which focus on preventing wealth accumulation and protecting cultural monuments.

The petition highlighted that the Sabarmati Ashram, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, embodied the principles of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and harmony with nature that are central to Gandhian philosophy. The Ashram, a symbol of Gandhi’s legacy and his role in India's freedom struggle, was intended to be a space for peaceful, communal living.

Tushar Gandhi's plea emphasized that the redevelopment project jeopardized the dignity and sanctity of the Ashram, erasing its essence as a place of peace and simplicity. The petition also expressed concerns over the misuse of public funds under the guise of development, arguing that such a project contradicted the values Gandhi upheld.

Earlier, a writ petition was filed in the Gujarat High Court, seeking to quash the government's resolution for redevelopment. The High Court dismissed the petition, and the matter was subsequently brought before the Supreme Court, which declined to intervene. The plea argued that the Ashram’s legacy, particularly its dedication to the Harijan Sevak Sangh, should be preserved and that the redevelopment posed a threat to this historical and cultural heritage.

The Sabarmati Ashram, where Gandhi lived for many years, continues to be a powerful symbol of his values and a testament to India's freedom struggle.

With IANS inputs