Former Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Labels Varanasi Ghat Damage as 'Accidental' Amid Controversy
Former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan addressed the media on Friday regarding the ongoing controversy at Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat. She described the damage to old structures during rejuvenation work as 'inadvertent' and 'an accident'. Mahajan emphasized that development activities sometimes lead to such incidents.
Administration Denies Demolition Claims, Assures Preservation
The Varanasi district administration has firmly denied allegations of intentional demolition at the historic ghat. District magistrate Satyendra Kumar clarified to TOI that stone pieces with carvings, circulating on social media, are not deities. He stated these artifacts are being preserved for inclusion in the new ghat structure.
'All idols and Shivlings found at the project site are kept safely,' Kumar said. 'The culture department now holds custody of debris artifacts to re-establish them post-rejuvenation.'
Trust Voices Concerns Over Statue Recovery and Legal Action
Yeshwantrao Holkar, president of the Khasgi Trust and a descendant of the Holkar royal family from Indore, reported that statues currently lie in rubble. The trust considers itself custodian of Ahilyabai's legacy and the ghat she restored in 1791.
In a statement, the trust expressed support for planned development but criticized the local-level demolition as disrespectful. They demanded proper consideration for Ahilyabai's heritage.
Mahajan Compares Incident to Other Accidents, Stresses Development Need
Mahajan elaborated on her stance by drawing parallels. 'Heavy machines can damage old structures aged 300-400 years with small motions,' she noted. She cited a recent temple renovation in Maheshwar and a water line damage incident in her locality as examples of similar accidents.
'Development holds equal importance to conservation,' Mahajan asserted. 'I spoke to Varanasi officials who explained an earth-moving machine hit something during work. Such things happen, but this is a significant accident. The administration promises renovation, and development must proceed.'
Trust Issues Specific Demands to PM Modi and CM Yogi
The Khasgi Trust has made three clear demands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. They commend the leaders' vision for sensitive development but seek immediate action.
- Conduct a full investigation into the incident and hold accountable those responsible.
- Instruct authorities to safely recover the statues and hand them over to the Khasgi Trust.
- Ensure authorities coordinate directly with the Trust to restore statues to their rightful place in any new development.
The trust's statement highlighted their alignment with Ahilyabai Holkar's legacy while advocating for careful progress.
