The Supreme Court on Monday restrained authorities from cutting any more trees in Mumbai's Aarey to set up a Metro car shed. A special bench comprising justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan said it will have to examine the entire thing and posted the matter for hearing on October 21 before its forest bench.

"Don't cut anything now," the bench said. Observing that it “appeared Aarey was a forest at some point of time”, the court asked the state government to submit a status report on the number of trees felled so far and the compulsory afforestation by the Mumbai metro.

The court was hearing petitions by activists who are protesting against the felling of over 2,600 trees in Aarey colony for the construction of a Mumbai Metro car shed.  

Though the decision looks simple and clear, this decision is hiding a lot more than what meets our eyes:

1. This decision is a victory of youth power. A 4th-year law student, Rishav Ranjan sends a letter to the CJI on behalf a student delegation on Sunday, just two days after the Bombay High Court dismissed the plea against felling of 2,646 trees at the Aarey colony by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited. The 29 protestors arrested who were charged with non-bailable offences and released on Sunday, are mostly young students. If people thought India’s youth is largely consumerism driven engaged in fast foods and instant gratification, then they are mistaken. This is young India, undeterred, unplugged, and courageous to challenge governments, move courts, and fight till justice prevails.

2. This decision reassures the oneness of our nation. Aarey, though an urban forest of Mumbai encourages Noida based law students to approach Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi seeking the court’s immediate intervention to stop the felling of trees in Mumbai. Besides, Save Aarey movement has got tremendous response from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Delhi, Raipur, and even Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities along with towns and villages.

3. The decision is a manifestation of one of the attributes of Mother Nature which is Hope. Even after undergoing the ruthless massacre, the offshoots from the cut trunk will start showing in a few days without showing any signs of distress or hurt. The Supreme Court was completely closed today. It opened up only for Aarey hearing. This gives some hope to democracy which is being massacred as brutally as the trees.