“Every citizen of Kashi is fighting because this is an attack on our faith and our homes,” Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said.
NEW DELHI — The Congress on Friday condemned the alleged demolition of ancient temples and damage to historic ghats in Varanasi, accusing the Narendra Modi-led Centre and the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh of destroying centuries-old religious and cultural heritage in the name of development and beautification.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and the party’s national media coordinator Abhay Dubey alleged that several ancient temples had been demolished and historic ghats damaged in Kashi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi.
Rai described the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor as a “mall-like structure,” claiming that multiple ancient temples were razed and the sacred Akshaya Vat tree destroyed during its construction. He cited the alleged demolition of the Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple built with Kasauti stone, and raised concerns over the disappearance of several ancient idols.
He further alleged that Manikarnika Ghat had been “completely destroyed” in the name of beautification. The redevelopment project at the ghat was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2023. Rai claimed that the statue of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar—who had renovated the ghat—the Shivling, and the sacred site believed to mark where Mata Parvati’s mani (jewel) fell were also damaged.
Highlighting the religious significance of Manikarnika Ghat, Rai said it is revered as a place of salvation where people from India and abroad wish to have their last rites performed. “Tampering with such sacred heritage is unacceptable,” he said.
Rai also questioned government claims about the cleanliness of the river Ganga, alleging that sewage from cruise vessels operating on the river is being discharged into it. He termed the naming of a cruise ship after Swami Vivekananda an insult, claiming it contributes to pollution of the holy river.
Referring to the Daal Mandi area, Rai said bulldozer action in the old wholesale market without a concrete rehabilitation plan could leave traders and labourers unemployed. He accused the BJP of projecting itself as a champion of Hindutva while claiming that its actions were “atheistic” in nature.
Abhay Dubey said Kashi is a sacred land associated with Lord Shiva, but alleged that the BJP government had carried out widespread destruction there. He termed the demolition at Manikarnika Ghat an insult to Lord Shiva and Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, and described it as an attack on Sanatan culture.
The Congress leaders demanded an immediate halt to all ongoing work at Manikarnika Ghat, consultation with religious leaders of Kashi before undertaking any future projects, protection of the Daal Mandi area, and a comprehensive rehabilitation package for affected traders and residents.
Responding to a question on whether the Samajwadi Party was also raising the issue and whether there could be a joint protest, Rai said Kashi is not merely a place but an emotion for its people.
“I am a resident of Kashi, and it is my privilege to have been born here. I did not come from Gujarat; I belong to this land and was raised on this soil. Lord Shiva resides in every particle of Kashi,” he said.
He added that residents of the city were united in their opposition. “Every citizen of Kashi is fighting because this is an attack on our faith and our homes,” Rai said.
Reiterating the Congress’s commitment to the city, Rai recalled the contributions of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Pandit Kamalapati Tripathi. “He always worked to build and develop Kashi. His ancestors were priests of Baba Vishwanath, and he never believed in destruction or demolition,” he said.
“The people of Kashi are on the streets, and they will continue to fight,” Rai added.
