Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat redevelopment hits controversy over Ahilyabai Holkar statue demolition, ADM orders probe

On Tuesday, protests broke out at the site where the structure was allegedly razed, with demonstrators led by Mahendra Pal Pintu, national president of the Pal Community. (PTI file photo)

• Investigation ordered after Ahilyabai Holkar statue demolition at Manikarnika Ghat
• Protests demand reinstatement of the statue at its original location
• Renovation project aims to modernise Manikarnika Ghat by year-end

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The Varanasi district administration has ordered a probe following allegations that a structure housing a statue of Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was demolished during renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat, an Indian Express report said on Wednesday.

Ahilyabai Holkar is widely remembered for her role in rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the 18th century, a contribution that holds deep historical significance for Varanasi, the Indian Express noted.

On Tuesday, protests broke out at the site where the structure was allegedly razed, with demonstrators led by Mahendra Pal Pintu, national president of the Pal Community. Speaking at the protest, Pal said the demand was for the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar-whom he described as a key contributor to the nation, Varanasi, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-to be reinstated at its original location, the Indian Express reported. Pal is also a state committee member of the Samajwadi Party.

Raising questions over the role of the district administration, Pal alleged that the statue was nearly a century old and was demolished on Sunday without prior notice or consultation, under the pretext of renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat, the Indian Express said. He claimed the action had deeply hurt community sentiments.

Pal argued that if the statue needed to be removed due to renovation, it should have been relocated to a secure place before any demolition activity was carried out. He added that protesters submitted a memorandum detailing their demands to government officials who reached the site during the demonstration, the Indian Express reported.

He further said that Ahilyabai Holkar holds a special place in the Pal (Gadariya) community, which considers her a revered ancestor and observes her birth anniversary each year, according to the Indian Express.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Alok Kumar said that during the ongoing renovation work, a structure containing a statue-claimed to be of Ahilyabai Holkar-was demolished. He confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated and will also determine whose statue was inside the demolished structure, the Indian Express reported.

The redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat, where around 150 cremations are conducted daily, was launched recently with the objective of modernising the historic site. The project includes revamping surrounding streets, creating an entrance plaza, improving visitor facilities, refurbishing cremation infrastructure, and widening narrow pathways used for funeral processions, the Indian Express said.

The renovation is being carried out as part of the corporate social responsibility initiative of a private company. The redesign also seeks to address long-standing concerns such as unregulated wood storage, smoke from open cremations, and the dumping of debris into the Ganga, the Indian Express reported. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.