Varanasi Authorities Block SP Delegation from Visiting Manikarnika Ghat
In a significant development in Varanasi on Sunday, the district administration and police successfully thwarted an attempt by members and public representatives of the Samajwadi Party (SP) to proceed towards the historic Manikarnika Ghat. The SP delegation aimed to personally inspect and evaluate the reported damage to the Madhi, where idols of the revered 18th-century queen Ahilyabai Holkar and other deities were allegedly desecrated.
House Arrests and Interceptions Prevent Movement
The police took stringent measures by placing several prominent SP members under house arrest, including Chandauli MP Virendra Singh. In a parallel action, SP MLC Ashutosh Sinha was intercepted near the busy Lahurabir crossing. He was subsequently escorted onto a police vehicle and transported to the Cholapur police station, effectively preventing his planned march towards the sacred ghat.
MP Virendra Singh elaborated on the purpose of their intended visit, stating that SP members had organized the call to visit the ghat to ascertain the ground reality of the ongoing works and the alleged damage to the idols. "The administration stopped us from moving ahead and also threatened to use force, if we tried to reach Manikarnika Ghat," he alleged, highlighting the tense standoff.
High-Voltage Drama Unfolds in Tagore Town
A joint team comprising administration and police officials, led by ADM (City) Alok Kumar, confronted Singh, former Uttar Pradesh minister Surendra Patel, and other SP members, barring them from stepping out of their residences. This confrontation unfolded into a high-voltage drama that captured public attention.
When the officials explicitly informed Singh that he was under house arrest, he staged a sit-in protest outside his house located in Tagore Town. This protest persisted for over two hours, drawing local onlookers and media. Eventually, Singh called off the protest after submitting a formal memorandum addressed to the President of India, signaling a temporary retreat.
Widespread Attempts and Political Accusations
Simultaneously, other SP workers in various areas, including Chowk, attempted to emerge from their homes to join the march towards Manikarnika Ghat. However, the police vigilantly foiled these attempts, instructing them to return inside their houses and maintain order.
Former minister Surendra Patel strongly criticized the actions of the administration and police, terming them as an effort to suppress democratic rights and shield the BJP-led government from accountability. "Such actions cannot suppress the voice of the SP," he asserted, emphasizing the party's resilience against perceived oppression.
Sloganeering and Political Repercussions
Amid massive sloganeering by SP workers directed against the police and administration, the SP members vocalized their stance, asserting that the BJP would be held accountable for the alleged damage to temples and idols. This incident has intensified political tensions in the region, with both sides firm in their positions.
The unfolding events in Varanasi underscore the deep-seated political and religious sensitivities surrounding heritage sites, as authorities balance law enforcement with the right to peaceful assembly and expression.
