‘Ahilyabai Holkar statue razed’ during Manikarnika ghat makeover, triggers protests in Varanasi

Demanding accountability from the district administration over the incident, Pal alleged that the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar was nearly 100 years old and was demolished on Sunday in the name of the renovation of Manikarnika Ghat without any prior notice or consultation.

He claimed that the action hurt the sentiments of the community. “If the government intended to remove the statue for renovation work, it should have first relocated it to a safer place before carrying out any demolition in the area,” said Pal, adding they handed over a memorandum outlining their demands to a government officials who arrived at the protest site.

He added that Ahilyabai Holkar is deeply connected to the Pal (Gadariya) community, as they consider her a revered ancestor. The Pal community celebrates the birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Varanasi, Alok Kumar, said that during the ongoing renovation of Manikarnika Ghat, a structure housing a statue — claimed to be of Ahilyabai Holkar — was demolished. He said that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident, and added that the probe will also ascertain whose statue was inside the demolished structure.

Renovation of Manikarnika Ghat

The project to overhaul the Manikarnika Ghat, where nearly 150 cremations take place daily, was launched recently. The project aims to modernise the sacred site by revamping the streets, constructing an entrance plaza, setting up facilities for visitors, refurbishing existing cremation structures, and widening narrow access routes used for funeral processions.

The project is a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of a private company.

The redesign also addresses longstanding issues such as unregulated wood storage, smoke from open cremations, and improper disposal of debris into the Ganga.

The project is likely to be completed the end of this year.