File Picture : ANI/X
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the redevelopment of the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi and alleged that he wants to erase every historical heritage to “simply affix” his own nameplate.
“Narendra Modi ji… You want to erase every historical heritage and simply affix your own nameplate,” Kharge said in his post.
Protestors have opposed a demolition drive under the redevelopment plan of the Manikarnika Ghat and alleged damage to a century-old idol of Ahilyabai Holkar, a charge refuted by the district administration.
.@narendramodi जी,
भोंडे सौंदर्यीकरण और व्यवसायीकरण के नाम पर आपने बनारस के मणिकर्णिका घाट में बुलडोज़र चलवाकर सदियों पुरानी धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक और आध्यात्मिक विरासत को ध्वस्त कराने का काम किया है।
आप चाहतें हैं कि इतिहास की हर धरोहर को मिटाकर बस अपना नेम-प्लेट चिपका दिया… pic.twitter.com/A2yjf0UrYd
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 15, 2026
District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar earlier said artefacts had been “secured” by the culture department and would be reinstalled in their original form after the work is completed. He added that the revamp was aimed at improving sanitation and space management at the ghat which witnesses a large number of cremations daily.
According to Kharge, small and large temples and shrines were demolished in the name of a corridor and it is now the turn of the ancient ghats.
Kashi, the world’s oldest city, is a confluence of spirituality, culture, education, and history that attracts the entire world, the Congress chief said.
“Is the intention behind all this again to benefit your business associates? You have handed over water, forests, and mountains to them, and now it’s the turn of our cultural heritage,” Kharge alleged.
