Amid controversy surrounding the alleged demolition of temples and statues during road-widening in Varanasi’s Dal Mandi area near Manikarnika Ghat, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government. Yadav emphasized the importance of preserving heritage structures rather than destroying them, sharing images on social media to support his stance.
Recently, Akhilesh Yadav had accused the BJP of targeting small traders and residents in the Dal Mandi area. He stated that the ruling party’s actions were causing distress to the local community. The controversy has drawn strong reactions from both the UP government and local authorities, who have refuted the allegations and dismissed them as false and misleading.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath denied claims of temple demolitions during the Dal Mandi redevelopment project. He accused the Congress and other opposition parties of spreading misinformation and using selective images to create a false narrative. Adityanath emphasized that the temples at Manikarnika Ghat remain untouched amid the ongoing development work.
The controversy revolves around the Varanasi administration’s project to widen the Dal Mandi road significantly to alleviate congestion and enhance access to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This initiative has led to protests and debates regarding heritage conservation, displacement of traders, and the perceived impact on religious structures in the area.
