Varanasi: Protest erupts over Manikarnika Ghat demolition; officials deny charges

Protests erupted at the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, one of the oldest and most sacred cremation grounds in Hinduism, after officials began a demolition drive on Tuesday (January 13).

While locals alleged that the city’s heritage was being destroyed in the name of redevelopment, officials rejected the claims and said the drive was carried out under a redevelopment plan of Manikarnika Ghat.

The protesters specifically alleged damage to a century-old idol of Ahilyabai Holkar, a charge denied by the district administration.

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Manikarnika Ghat, believed to grant “moksha” or liberation from the cycle of birth and death, holds immense religious and cultural significance for devotees across the country.

Confusion over redevelopment

The protesters largely included members of the Pal Samaj Samiti, supported by sections of the Marathi community and other local groups. However, the administration said the row appeared to have been triggered by a confusion over the redevelopment work.

Leading the protest, a samiti member, Mahendra Pal, alleged, “Under the guise of development, the original character of Manikarnika Ghat was being tampered with and the city’s heritage was being destroyed.”

Ajay Sharma, president of the Sanatan Rakshak Dal, alleged that several consecrated idols at the ghat were damaged, calling it an affront to religious sentiments. “These idols were ‘pran-pratishthit’. Breaking them with machines in the name of development is unacceptable,” he said.

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The district administration, however, rejected the allegations, asserting that no temple at the ghat had been demolished or damaged during the work.

‘No harm to the temples’

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Alok Verma, who went to the spot, said there appeared to be some confusion regarding the work being undertaken.

“We have come here to assess the situation. We suspect the involvement of some outsiders. The ACP is also present to inquire into the matter. People living in and around the ghat are not protesting and the work is being carried out in their presence,” he said.

District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said development work was underway at the ghat and no harm had been caused to any temple. “In the first phase, steps are being constructed. During excavation, some idols and artefacts were found, which have been preserved. These will be reinstalled after the construction work at the ghat is completed,” he said.

Kumar added that the revamp was aimed at improving sanitation and space management at the ghat, which witnesses a large number of cremations daily.

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“The work is being carried out on the kachcha portion and for the reconstruction of old steps. Certain artworks and idols embedded in walls were affected during the process, but they have been secured by the Culture Department and will be reinstalled in their original form after completion of the work,” he said.

Further protests planned

Former corporator Sudhir Dedhge announced that representatives of the Dhangar, Pal communities and other sub-castes would meet on January 15 to chalk out a strategy for further protests. “Ahilyabai Holkar had played a historic role in rebuilding temples and ghats across the country, including the reconstruction of the Kashi Vishwanath temple after its destruction in the 18th century,” he said.

The Congress’s Uttar Pradesh president, Ajay Rai, accused the BJP government of destroying the historic Manikarnika Ghat in the name of renovation, calling it “an attack on the city’s soul and Sanatan culture”. In a statement, Rai alleged that heritage linked to “Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar” was being damaged, and said such actions could not be termed development.

Rai further claimed that projects at the ghat and Dalmandi (a prominent, old market in the old city) reflected an attempt to erase the legacy, identity and history of “Banaras”. Demanding an immediate halt to such projects, Rai said all works in Varanasi that harm the city’s heritage, temples and historical character should be stopped.

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He warned that if the alleged tampering with Kashi’s heritage did not cease, the people of Varanasi and Congress workers would launch a strong and decisive public movement. Rai said the Congress would continue to raise the issue from the streets to Parliament and the state Assembly.

(With agency inputs)