Uttar Pradesh demolishes 5 mosques in 24 hrs in Varanasi

Varanasi: Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have begun demolishing portions of five mosques in Varanasi as part of a major road-widening and urban redevelopment project, prompting concerns among local residents over the loss of religious heritage. The action, which began on Wednesday, is linked to the ₹224-crore Dalmandi Road Development Project aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion on the Maidagin-Godowlia route and improving access to Gate 4 of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

The project seeks to widen the congested 650-metre Dalmandi Street to 17.4 metres. The foundation stone for the scheme was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 2, 2025. The district administration has identified 187 properties for full or partial acquisition, including six mosques. Portions of the Mirza Karimullah Beg, Nazaran Ki, Rangeele Shah, Ali Raza and Sangmarmar mosques are now being removed, while litigation over the acquisition of Langde Hafiz Mosque is pending before the Allahabad High Court.

Officials said the five mosque management committees agreed to surrender the required land after months of discussions, and demolition was deferred until Muharram observances concluded. They maintained that only structures falling within the road alignment were being removed, with the main prayer halls remaining untouched. Compensation is being paid by the Public Works Department, which has already disbursed over ₹62 crore for 105 acquired properties, excluding mosque land.

Residents fear the demolition of centuries-old mosques will erode the area's religious heritage, while some local organisations allege that Muslim-majority neighbourhoods are being disproportionately targeted in the name of development. Security has been significantly tightened, with about 1,860 personnel deployed, drone surveillance in place, and public access to the locality heavily restricted.