Some locals say…….”Bohot purana makan tha, acchi zindagi jee rehe the hum. Inn logon ne zindagi tabha kardi hai. Kya karoon, mujhe samajh mein nehi aa rha hai. Sarkar ne tirath yatriyon ko suvidha toh de diya, lekin hum logon ka pareshani barha diya.”
( Translation – It was a very old house, life was nice. These people destroyed our lives. What to do ? I can’t understand anything. The government made it easy for the tourists, but difficult for us.)
I have been going to Beneras for almost 4 years. But I was astonished to see this happening since last year.
The demolition is being carried out as part of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor project, which aims to provide devotees easier access to the Kashi Vishwanath temple that houses one of the pre-eminent Shiva lingas in the country, and is thus considered among the most sacred temples. The temple is contained in the interior of Varanasi in a maze of narrow lanes which – along with the ghats – have come to define the city. On days like Shivratri, the temple sees more than two lakh devotees who jostle for space. Getting inside the temple for darshan(sacred sight) can take more than 6-8 hours.
Locals have claimed that several temples that stood in the area have also been demolished. They have accused the administration of having destroyed and thrown away several idols and Shiva lingas. The administration has denied that any temples have been demolished.
Before the demolitions, around 250 multi-storied buildings that had existed in the area for over 300 years. the lanes contained several 3-, 4- and 5-storeyed buildings built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Some as old – or older, if locals are to be believed – as the temple itself.
The ground floor of most of these buildings housed shops that sold flowers and other religious offerings that the devotees may want to buy. The higher floors are residences of ‘the real Banarsis’, who have, by most accounts, been living here for generations.
But the narrow lanes pose challenges of space and amenities for the devotees. There are limited options for food and water, and almost no toilets.
The current Indian government in UP, is known to have taken a particular interest in the project.
The pathways will, the government claims, ease congestion at all four entrances to the temple. The government also plans to set up a hospital, rest houses, shops, cafeterias and help desks. But the project has met with stiff protests in Varanasi.
Protests have been vociferous against the destruction of the buildings which, they claim, has put livelihoods at risk, in addition to forcing thousands to leave their homes against their will.
Several families in the area have faced situations. “They have not only demolished houses, they have split families down the middle. Some in the families have wanted to sell, while others have wanted to stay on.”
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