The Aarey forest controversy is now back in the news. Authorities in Mumbai have reportedly started cutting down 2,700 trees in the forest in Mumbai to make way for the Mumbai Metro project.

As per rules, they are supposed to wait another 15 days before they can start cutting them down. Said actress Dia Mirza, "There is supposed to be a 15 day waiting period after permission is granted and notice has been uploaded on official website. But there is no waiting here. Our trees are being cut as citizens desperately plead to STOP this!" Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani tweeted out, "Authorities have already started cutting trees in Aarey after the order passed by the BHC today. Citizens are reaching Aaarey forest to stop this. I request Mumbaikars to reach and resist this move right now."

Aam Aadmi Party's Maharashtra unit said, "How dare you?" in an obvious reference to teen climate activist Greta Thunberg's phrase.

However, others are saying that no procedures have been violated. "IAS officer Ashwini Bhide is running the most ambitious metro project in the world. But trust Bollywood activists to think she won't know basic procedures on implementing judicial orders," commented Aashish Chandorkar.