Open spaces essential: DHC opposes closure of parks near Jama Masjid

The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, directed the city’s civic body to take over two parks next to the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. The court stated, ‘Open spaces and green cover provide the much-needed breathing zones for people when they are grappling with the hazardous scenario of ever-increasing pollution, and the move to lock the gates of a public park is totally unacceptable.’
The HC questioned the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for not taking possession of the two public parks and asked it to take action in accordance with the law to assume control so that they are available for use by the general public. It stated that, if any police assistance is asked for, the same shall be provided.
The court emphasised, ‘after all, a statutory authority cannot lose possession of the public parks.’
Highlighting the importance of parks as oases in the concrete jungle of cities, the high court noted that the public, including both the young and the old, need green spaces for playing, walking, and exercising. Denial of this right would be an infringement of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna stated, ‘The importance of maintaining green cover in the present milieu needs no emphasis. The open spaces and green cover provide the much-needed breathing zones for people when society as a whole is grappling with the hazardous scenario of ever-increasing pollution.’
The bench directed the MCD to file a fresh status report and listed the matter for further hearing on December 21.