Widespread Demolition at Manikarnika Ghat; BJP Government Accused of Destroying Temples in Varanasi

New Delhi: Widespread protests have erupted against the BJP government following the demolition of centuries -old temples, idols, buildings, and stone steps at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Bulldozers were reportedly used to carry out the destruction in the name of “renovation” at Manikarnika Ghat, one of the oldest and most significant cremation grounds along the banks of the River Ganga.

Among the structures destroyed was the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century Maratha queen widely believed to have undertaken major renovation work at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat. Opposition parties have alleged that several ancient religious structures, including the Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple and the Lakshminarayan Temple, were demolished, and that the sacred Akshayavat tree was also destroyed. There are further allegations that numerous idols have gone missing during the demolition.

Public outrage intensified after images of the damaged idols and buildings circulated widely on social media. Notably, even supporters of the BJP and the RSS voiced criticism, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of “destroying centuries- old heritage in the name of development.”

In response, Chief Minister Adityanath claimed that the unrest was instigated by “outsiders,” a stance frequently adopted by the BJP in similar situations. The authorities registered cases against eight individuals, including Members of Parliament Sanjay Singh and Pappu Yadav, accusing them of spreading “fake visuals.”

Last day, large numbers of people gathered at Manikarnika Ghat to protest the destruction of Ahilyabai Holkar’s statue. Police detained 16 protesters during the demonstrations. Historians have also expressed serious concern that the ongoing renovation projects are drastically altering Varanasi’s millennia- old natural landscape, historic structures, and distinctive architectural character.