Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Pulak Mukherjee, Engineer
I think it’s a very good thing that the illegal constructions were demolished. These constructions were the root cause of traffic congestion and parking problems. Bhatia’s action tells the common man that there are people who care for the law and are willing to take risks to enforce it. But I feel that the common man should take a stand instead of just nodding his head in approval. People should come out and support him in case he gets transferred, which seems most likely.
Solomon Peter, Businessman
I feel that these demolitions do not make a difference to the big businessmen. If a place like the Poona Coffee House has been demolished, what difference will it make to the owners? They have enough funds to put up another one in no time. It is the small-time businessmen who will be affected. And people like me, who want to have a cup of coffee, will have to wait endlessly for free space in the restaurant.
Ravindra Kole, Auto-rickshaw driver
Because of these illegal constructions, walking on the roads was impossible. The owners would keep their chairs on the footpath, and even their parking space would be occupied. This created a lot of congestion on the streets. With Bhatia’s action, at least one can walk peacefully on the roads now.
V.B. Gunjal, Civil fabricator
Bhatia did the right thing. Illegal constructions had become the norm. I live on Jungli Maharaj Road and it had become impossible for us to walk on this road. But one cannot say how long this will last, for the Pune Municipal Corporation has razed such constructions in the past, yet they manage to spring up again.
Padmini Karkare, Housewife
I don’t think it is right because these shop-owners spend so much money and all of it has been wasted. I enjoyed the restaurants, and despite the demolition, will still go there as I used to.
Vijaya Wadegaonkar, Teacher
I am happy and sad as well. Happy because all this was illegally constructed and such things should not be encouraged. But I am feeling sad because it is such a huge waste of expensive material. However, the owners knew they were doing something illegal, so I guess it is all right that they be punished.
Sangram Ekatpure, Student
It’s good that Bhatia had these structures demolished. But why was this action not taken before? The authorities should have attacked when the construction began, not when these structures became like old trees with roots that go deep and far. To the big guys, this will make no difference, so Bhatia should ensure that these structures are demolished whenever they come up again.
