Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the state government over issues related to Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, alleging that it is damaging the city’s historic and religious heritage.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Lucknow, Rai said that centuries-old heritage sites and places of mythological significance in Kashi are being demolished in the name of development.
He alleged that whenever the Congress raises these concerns, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attempts to mislead the public by dismissing them as false.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Varanasi MP, Rai said that despite calling himself the “son of the Ganga,” several religious sites have been damaged during his tenure.
Highlighting the importance of Manikarnika Ghat, Rai said it is believed to be the sacred place where Goddess Parvati’s jewel (mani) fell. He added that the ghat is thousands of years old and was renovated by Ahilyabai Holkar.
Rai criticised the government for celebrating Ahilyabai Holkar’s birth anniversary every year on May 25 while allegedly destroying the heritage she restored. “On the one hand, the government pays tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar, and on the other, her legacy is being demolished with bulldozers,” he said.
Questioning the government’s claims, Rai asked why the Chief Minister described visuals related to Manikarnika Ghat as “AI-generated videos.” He also raised questions about the disappearance of the Akshay Vat tree, the idol of Lakshmi Narayan, and the removal of the idol of Lord Shani.
Rai pointed out that Yashwant Rao Holkar, a member of Ahilyabai Holkar’s family, has written a letter stating that idols and heritage structures at the site were damaged. He sarcastically asked whether the government would now file a case against him as well.
The Congress leader further alleged that the current government is primarily working in the interest of big traders and is commercialising religious sites wherever there is an opportunity to generate revenue. He accused the government of using Ahilyabai Holkar’s name only for political gains and also alleged irregularities in the Prabhu Ram Trust.
Rai also accused the government of failing on the development front, citing pollution in rivers, unsuccessful development schemes, and misleading promises made to the public. He claimed that no new factories or major industries have been set up in Varanasi, despite repeated claims of development by the government.
Demanding transparency, Rai said the idol of Ahilyabai Holkar should be publicly displayed and the government should clarify where the idols kept inside the Gurudham temple have gone. He said that if the idols have not been broken, as claimed by the government, they should be presented as proof.
Warning the government, Rai said that if the current trend continues, the day is not far when even cremation grounds might be taxed for revenue generation. He clarified that the Congress is not opposed to development, but will not allow the destruction of heritage and cultural legacy.