Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment Project is opposed by over 130 eminent personalities from various parts of the country. They termed it as the “Second assassination of Gandhiji”.
Undoubtedly, a person who visits the Sabarmati Ashram can feel the charisma of Gandhi and the authenticity and simplicity of the place.
People visit this place to see how Mahatma Gandhi lived a simple life. They can feel the charisma of Gandhiji who orchestrated an enormous freedom movement.
In the Sabarmati Ashram redevelopment Project, the Gujarat government decided that it will construct a museum by “demolishing” the ashram. The 130 eminent personalities feel it is shocking and unnecessary. However, the proposed project is of Rs1,200 crore.
Mahatma Gandhi spent 13 years of his life from 1917 to 1930 in this Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Consequently, 130 eminent personalities criticized the plan. They issued a statement claiming that the joint project will severely compromise the simplicity and sanctity of the present Ashram.
They feel this project can be envisioned at best as Gandhi’s theme park and at worst can be termed as “a second assassination.”
The 130 eminent personalities led by the president of Gujarat Sahitya parishad includes Gujarati writer Prakash Shah, historians Raj Mohan Gandhi, retired High Court Judge AP Shah, Ramchandra Guha, Musician TM Krishna, Admiral(Retd) Laxminarayan Ramdas, former IAS officer Sharad Behar, former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro, Senior lawyer Anand Grover.
Moreover, activists like Harsh Mander, Shabnam Hashmi, Teesta Setalvad, Yogendra Yadav, Aruna Roy, writer and cultural activist GN Devy, film maker Anand Patvardhan have criticized this move of the Union government.
Subsequently, a statement issued by writers says that it is an attempt to take over Gandhian Institutions.
It is important to know that writer Ram Punyani, former IAS, artist-poet Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, Journalist Kumar Ketkar and P. Satish have opposed this decision of the government.
