The Varanasi district administration has launched an inquiry into the alleged demolition of a structure containing a statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. This incident occurred during ongoing renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat, a major cremation site in the holy city.
Community Protests Erupt Over Statue Removal
On Tuesday, a group led by Mahendra Pal Pintu, national president of the Pal Community, staged a protest at the demolition site. Pintu, who also serves as a Samajwadi Party state committee member, voiced strong objections to the statue's removal.
"We demand the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar be reinstalled at the same location," stated Pintu. "She made significant contributions to our country, to Varanasi, and to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple."
Allegations of Insensitive Demolition
Protesters claim the nearly century-old statue was demolished on Sunday without prior notice or consultation. They argue the demolition was carried out under the guise of Manikarnika Ghat renovation.
"This action has hurt community sentiments deeply," Pintu emphasized. "If the government needed to remove the statue for renovation, they should have relocated it safely first."
The Pal community considers Ahilyabai Holkar a revered ancestor and celebrates her birth anniversary annually. Protesters submitted a formal memorandum outlining their demands to government officials who visited the protest site.
Official Response and Investigation
Additional District Magistrate Alok Kumar confirmed that a structure containing a statue—claimed to be of Ahilyabai Holkar—was indeed demolished during the ghat renovation. The administration has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident.
"The probe will ascertain whose statue was inside the demolished structure," Kumar stated. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the demolition and address community concerns.
Manikarnika Ghat Renovation Project
The controversial demolition occurred as part of a major renovation project at Manikarnika Ghat, where approximately 150 cremations take place daily. The overhaul project, launched recently, includes several modernization initiatives:
- Revamping streets and access routes
- Constructing an entrance plaza
- Setting up visitor facilities
- Refurbishing existing cremation structures
- Widening narrow pathways used for funeral processions
This private company-led Corporate Social Responsibility project addresses longstanding issues at the sacred site:
- Unregulated wood storage
- Smoke from open cremations
- Improper debris disposal into the Ganga
The comprehensive renovation is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century Maratha queen, is historically credited with rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, making her statue's location particularly significant to local communities.
