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Jagran correspondent, Varanasi. The government on Friday gave a clarification on the controversy over the demolition of Madhi (platform) and other artefacts including the statue of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar adorned on it by a bulldozer during the redevelopment of the Manikarnika Ghat cremation ground.
Minister of State for Stamp and Registration Fees Ravindra Jaiswal has given a new twist to the whole matter by holding a press conference and alleging that the video of the demolition of statues was made with AI and circulated in a misleading manner.
Till now the administration was trying to put an end to the matter by claiming that the vandalism was a mistake and there was no damage to the statue. On the other hand, the opposition is calling this matter an insult to Sanatan Dharma.
While talking to journalists at Circuit House, Ravindra Jaiswal claimed that BJP is giving new dimensions to development in Varanasi every day. Sanatan was not respected by any other party except BJP. BJP itself started celebrating the birth anniversary of Ahilyabai.
A grand statue of Ahilyabai was installed in the newly grand Srikashi Vishwanath Dham. AI has been used to wrongly show the video of vandalism and artefacts at Manikarnika Ghat.
Nothing like what is shown in the video happened at the ghat. During the redevelopment, the artefacts have been removed and kept safe in the premises of the Culture Department located at Gurudham. After the development of Manikarnika Ghat, all the statues and artefacts will be decorated and beautified by reconstructing the shed on the ghat.
After reconstruction of the ghat, people will get relief from pollution. Along with building chimneys, 38 platforms will be made for cremation. This ghat will look new and grand. Those opposing this are the same people who had spread rumors during the construction of the grand Srikashi Vishwanath Dham.
Systematic destruction of faith, history and culture
Congress demonstrated at the district headquarters in protest against the vandalism at Manikarnika Ghat and the damage to the heritage sites and submitted a memorandum addressed to the district officer. Metropolitan President Raghavendra Choubey said that instead of development, faith, history and culture are being systematically destroyed in Varanasi.
Hundreds of temples and historical religious places were demolished in the name of the grand Srikashi Vishwanath Dham. Now statues of gods and goddesses, temples and religious symbols are being damaged in the Manikarnika Ghat area. He demanded forming a joint delegation to bring out the truth.
At the same time, Bhaiya Lal Pal, patron of Pal Vikas Samiti, said that there is anger among the people of Pal community due to the damage to the ancient idol of Mahadev and Ganesh ji along with the statue of Ahilyabai. However, the District Magistrate has assured that the idols will be reinstalled.
For the convenience, safety and well-being of the devotees, the work of reconstruction and strengthening of Manikarnika Ghat is going on. All the temples located on the ghat will be completely preserved. During the work, a platform and some artefacts on the walls have been affected.
Misleading and baseless claims regarding this are being circulated on the internet media. The truth is that all the artefacts and sculptures present on the ghat have been preserved by the Culture Department and kept at a safe place. After the reconstruction work, they will be installed in their previous form. Satyendra Kumar, District Magistrate, Varanasi