Activists welcomed the Union environment ministry’s order to demolish Adarsh society and said the ministry should look at other violations too. “It’s always the poor man’s house which is demolished,” Medha Patkar, chairperson, National Alliance of People’s Movements, said. “This is the first time that such a symbol of the nexus between builders, politicians and bureaucrats is the target of the state’s actions.”

Patkar said the order was a direct consequence of the efforts of activists, the civil society and the media. “The MoEF was also very quick to respond and this has helped the Congress-led Centre gain a lot of credibility,” she said.

Opposition leaders welcomed the decision with caution. “We welcome the MoEF’s decision but I am concerned if the order will really be followed,” senior Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said. Opposition leader and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Eknath Khadse called for criminal action against all politicians and officials involved in the scam.