After the Mumbai court on Saturday rejected the bail application filed by 29 activists who were arrested for protesting the felling over 2,500 trees in north Mumbai’s Aarey Colony, a big political row has erupted.
Aarey Protests Live Updates
Meanwhile, the activists have been sent to judicial custody till Monday and by this time there are 38 people who have been arrested and 55 people have been detained by the police so far.
The Bombay High Court, on the other hand, rejected a fresh plea that has been filed by activists for a stay on felling of trees in Aarey. The decision was taken just a day after the HC gave its permission to the cutting down of Mumbai’s ‘green lung’ in spite of vociferous protests.
The Protests strengthened on Saturday among heavy restrictions leading to the arrests of 29 people as well as 38 being booked. There are many leaders who were also detained while protesting. There are about 1,500 trees which were chopped on Day 1 of felling as greens failed to stop officials from carrying out the high court’s orders.
Timeline of Aarey protests
29 August: BMC’s Tree Authority grants permission to MMRC in order to cut trees in Aarey, which then immediately sparked the protests
1 September: Activists form human chain
6 September: MMRC Chief Ashwini Bhide on the other hand take-offs counter-campaign
14 September: Devendra Fadnavis stated in his statement that Aarey is not forest, Mumbai Metro is going to reduce carbon footprint
18 September: BMC says another shed at Kanjurmarg not achievable
4 October: Bombay HC suppresses petition, gives the nod for cutting of trees
Aarey protests Highlights and Updates
Amid the furore, Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar drew parallels between Delhi and Mumbai. He said, “The Bombay High Court has ruled that Aarey is not a forest. When the first Delhi metro station was to be constructed, 20-25 trees were cut. People had protested then too, but for each tree cut, five trees were planted.”
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said that he is going to take a press conference on Aarey exclusively later on “as it is an important issue and we won’t let it go”. “Our government is going to come to power soon and we will see what to do about these murderers of trees,” he added.
Javadekar argues while comparing with Delhi and stated “In Delhi, 271 metro stations have been made and tree cover has also increased. This is development and preservation of nature.”
Responding to the Congress’ post on Twitter which condemned the felling of trees at Aarey colony as well as the arrest of protestors, AAP National Executive member Preeti Sharma Menon targeted the Congress party for not taking specific action and just taking action only on the micro-blogging website.
“And in all this, Mumbai Congress, you slept. You didn’t come for the protest at night. You didn’t come to the police stations for the release of the detainees,” she wrote.
Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation defended the decision to cut trees, “The Tree Authority permission issued on 13th Sept 2019. HC has dismissed 4 petitions today and has also imposed fine of Rs 50000 for a frivolous petition,” she said in a tweet.
Many Bollywood actors such as Swara Bhaskar, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan tweeted in support of the Save Aarey movement.
The 29 activists which were arrested in connection with the protest against the felling of trees in Aarey Colony have been sent to judicial custody, reported Times of India. The activists are now going to be taken to Thane jail.
