Municipal Corporation issues 15-day confiscation notice, sparking panic and concerns over the rights of local Muslim community
NEW DELHI/VARANASI – The Dal Mandi area of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is witnessing rising tension as six mosques face the threat of confiscation following tax notices issued by the Municipal Corporation. These notices are part of a larger move involving 151 buildings in the area, with officials citing substantial tax arrears on water and sewage payments. Residents report that if dues, reportedly amounting to ₹1.78 crore collectively, are not cleared within 15 days, bulldozer action could be taken.
Residents expressed shock and fear over the notices. A shopkeeper in Dal Mandi, requesting anonymity, said, “We are already struggling with road widening and demolition work. Now, these sudden tax notices are putting immense pressure on the community. It feels like a double burden.” Several members of the Muslim community have voiced concerns that these measures unfairly target religious sites, adding to existing apprehensions amid ongoing controversies around the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor expansion.
Municipal Corporation Public Relations Officer Sandeep Srivastava clarified the administration’s position, stating, “We have sent notices to tax defaulters in the Dal Mandi area. They have been given a 15-day deadline from the date of issuance of the notice. If the tax is not paid within this period, the process of confiscation will be initiated.” Srivastava further emphasised,
“This action is not aimed at any religious site or individual. Our goal is to maintain transparency and equity in tax collection. All defaulters, irrespective of religion, are subject to this process,” he said.
Nevertheless, many locals see the move as harsh and arbitrary. A Dal Mandi resident said, “These mosques have stood here for decades and are central to our community life. Sending notices now, amidst demolitions and road work, feels like an attack on our heritage and rights.”
Traders too expressed frustration, noting that prior warnings had been minimal or unclear, leaving them little time to prepare.
The controversy over the municipal notices comes at a time when the Uttar Pradesh government has faced criticism for the demolition and sealing of several religious sites, including mosques, madrasas, and historical Eidgahs in different districts.
Observers point out that sudden enforcement actions often create anxiety among minority communities, raising questions about the balance between civic governance and religious rights.
While the Municipal Corporation insists that the action is standard procedure and part of wider efforts to recover long-overdue taxes, local Muslim leaders have called for leniency and a review of the notices. One community elder remarked, “We respect the law, but these mosques are places of worship and community gathering. Confiscating them would hurt thousands of faithful and further strain communal harmony.”
As the 15-day deadline approaches, the Dal Mandi area remains tense, with residents anxiously awaiting the next move from municipal authorities. The unfolding situation is now drawing attention from wider civic circles, highlighting the need for careful handling of religious and cultural sites in the midst of urban development.
