Judicial Soliloquies

Chief Justice Chandrachud from Supreme Court of India: Olga Tellis and Others v Bombay Municipal Corporation:
"Those who have made pavements their homes exist in the midst of filth and squalor, which has to be seen to be believed. Rabid dogs in search of stinking meat and cats in search of hungry rats keep them company. They cook and sleep where they case, for no conveniences are available to them. Their daughters, come of age, bathe under the nosy gaze of passers-by, unmindful of the feminine sense of bashfulness. The cooking and washing over, women pick lice form each other's hair. The boys beg. Menfolk, without occupation, snatch chains with the connivance of the defenders of law and order; when caught, if at all, they say: 'Who doesn't commit crimes in this city?'....They do not contend that they have a right to live on the pavements. Their contention is that they have a right to live, a right which cannot be exercised without the means of livelihood. "

Bombay was trying to "improve" the city and wanted to evict these people from the pavements. I've seen some of these houses on the pavements. They are made up of cardboard, discard containers, stolen sheet metal if a person is lucky, and broken bits of plywood. Its a place where cows are showered with food, flowers, and gifts, but people are left on the street. I cried reading this, not because I can relate, but because I don't know what else I can do right now. I am so ready to be done with school.