Muslim shopkeepers protest bulldozer drive, say development in the name of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor should not destroy livelihoods
NEW DELHI – Tension gripped the Dal Mandi area of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh as hundreds of Muslim shopkeepers took to the streets on Tuesday, protesting against the Public Works Department’s (PWD) plan to bulldoze nearly 187 houses and shops for road widening leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor.
The shopkeepers downed their shutters and gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans for justice and rehabilitation. They alleged that the administration had given them only a short notice before carrying out the demolition drive.
“We are not against development, but where will our families go? What will happen to our business?” asked Mohammad Arif, a cloth merchant who has run his shop in Dal Mandi for over two decades. “They call it development, but it feels like destruction for us.”
Dal Mandi is one of Purvanchal’s oldest and largest wholesale markets, known for its traditional trade in cloth, perfumes, and handicrafts. Many shopkeepers here belong to families who have been running small businesses for generations.
Since the notices were served, fear has spread through the narrow lanes of Dal Mandi. Traders say they were not consulted before the decision was taken. “We have no problem if the government wants to beautify the city,” said Shabana Begum, who runs a small garment shop with her husband. “But we must be given time and fair compensation. You cannot throw people out overnight.”
Residents say bulldozers have become a symbol of fear in Uttar Pradesh, especially for the poor and Muslims. “Every time there is a new project, it is our homes that are marked,” said a local elder, Haji Rashid, adding that several families have already started moving their belongings in fear of forced eviction.
Officials of the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) and PWD say the road widening is part of a major infrastructure plan to ease traffic leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the ghats. The authorities argue that notices were issued as per procedure.
A senior PWD officer, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said, “This project is part of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor development. The affected residents were given notice. We are following legal process.”
However, many shopkeepers disagree, claiming that the notices were sudden and incomplete. They allege that the administration is acting under pressure to complete the project before year-end. “The truth is, they want to clear the area quickly without caring about the people,” said Mohammad Salim, another trader. “This is not development; it is injustice.”
With tensions mounting, the administration has deployed heavy police forces in the Dal Mandi area. Senior police officers were seen patrolling the streets and urging protesters to maintain calm.
Local residents said loudspeakers were used to make announcements asking people to vacate voluntarily or face demolition. The move has further angered the traders. “They are treating us like criminals,” said Yusuf Khan, a food stall owner. “We have valid documents, trade licences, and rent receipts. Why are we being targeted?”
Witnesses said several elderly traders broke down in tears as bulldozers lined up near the main road. The atmosphere remained tense, though the protest stayed peaceful.
Muslim leaders and social activists have called upon the administration to stop the demolition until a rehabilitation plan is finalised.
Maulana Sajjad Qasmi, a local cleric, said, “Dal Mandi is not just a market — it is the livelihood of thousands of families. If development means erasing people’s lives, then it is not true development.”
Activists also criticised the lack of communication from the government. Farah Naaz, a social worker from Varanasi, stated, “The authorities must talk to the traders, listen to their concerns, and ensure they are compensated. Development should not mean targeting one community.”
Many citizens pointed out that such demolition drives have disproportionately affected Muslim localities in recent years, creating mistrust between the government and the community.
For decades, Dal Mandi has been the heart of Varanasi’s local economy — a bustling marketplace famous for silk sarees, jewellery, and traditional wares. Traders fear that once bulldozers roll in, their history and heritage will be lost forever.
“Our forefathers built these shops with hard work,” said Rashid Ahmad, a 65-year-old shopkeeper. “If they destroy this place, they destroy a part of Varanasi’s soul.”
As night fell, shopkeepers continued their sit-in protest under the dim streetlights, holding placards demanding “Compensation before Demolition.”
The fate of Dal Mandi now hangs in balance — between the government’s vision of development and the survival of hundreds of small Muslim traders struggling to protect their homes, shops, and dignity.
