Supreme Court rejects Tushar Gandhi’s request for Sabarmati Ashram reconstruction project

Tushar Gandhi. File | Image source: RK Nithin

The Supreme Court rejected a request from Mahatma Gandhi, great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, for the Sabarmati Ashram reconstruction project on Tuesday (April 1, 2025).

Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal said it was not inclined to interfere with the request, noting that there was more than two years of delay in filing the petition.

In his call to the Gujarat High Court, Mr. Gandhi argued that the proposed project would change the gathered terrain.

“The project has allegedly identified more than 40 consistent buildings that will be preserved while the remaining approximately 200 will be destroyed or rebuilt,” the request said.

The Supreme Court is only concerned about the state’s commitment to the main areas that will not be affected, which is not a reason to question the order.

In 2022, the Gujarat High Court issued Gandhi’s plea after the government said it would not be affected.

Kamal Trivedi, an advocate representing the Gujarat government, told the High Court that during the reconstruction period, the main practice sites of five acres will not be touched.

Mr. Gandhi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking instructions for reconstruction, which was conducted under the National Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (NGSN).

Sabarmati Ashram, also known as Gandhi Ashram, was founded in Ahmedabad in 1917 by Mahatma Gandhi.