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Bulldozers Roll in Kashi, Six Mosques to Be Shifted from Daalmandi
Bulldozer action in Varanasi’s Daalmandi sparks controversy as six mosques face relocation amid road widening, with administration and Intezamia Committee at odds.
Bulldozer (PC- Social Media)
The road-widening project underway in the historic Daalmandi area of Varanasi has now reached a new and highly sensitive turning point. Following the administration’s decision to deploy bulldozers to remove allegedly illegal constructions, 10 buildings have already been demolished. However, the controversy surrounding six mosques that fall within the scope of this project is becoming increasingly serious. While the administration is talking about finding a solution, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee has categorically refused to allow the mosques to be relocated.
Bulldozer Action Intensifies, 10 Buildings Demolished
On the instructions of the Uttar Pradesh government, the Daalmandi road-widening project is being pushed forward at a rapid pace. As part of this drive, a three-storey house—C-1/24, located at the entrance of the lane connecting New Road to Daalmandi—was completely demolished using a bulldozer for the first time. According to official information, the property was registered in the name of Mukhtar Ahmad Khan and had been declared illegal by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA).
So far, a total of 10 buildings have been razed. The administration claims that more than 25 people have voluntarily completed registry formalities, while over 20 others are currently in the process. According to the Public Works Department (PWD), 181 buildings fall within the ambit of this project.
Six Mosques Emerge as the “Biggest” Challenge
The biggest obstacle in the Daalmandi widening project has turned out to be six mosques. These include Karimullah Beg Mosque, Sangemarmar Mosque, Ali Raza Mosque, Rangeele Shah Mosque, Nisaran Mosque, and Langde Hafiz Mosque. While Karimullah Beg Mosque stands right at the entrance when moving from Chowk towards Daalmandi, Langde Hafiz Mosque is located precisely at the mouth of the road when traveling from New Road towards Chowk.
Given their locations, completing the project without relocating these mosques is being considered nearly impossible by the administration.
PWD’s Stand: Decision Will Come from the Top
PWD Executive Engineer K.K. Singh stated that five major road-widening projects are currently underway in Varanasi, and so far no major difficulties related to religious structures have arisen elsewhere. He emphasized that in such sensitive matters, the final decision is taken only after orders from higher authorities.
On the issue of mosque relocation, Singh made it clear that if government land is available, relocation could be considered. Alternatively, if a private individual is willing to provide land, that option may also be explored. For now, the department has conveyed the ground reality of the situation to the state government.
Intezamia Committee’s Blunt Rejection
The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee has outright rejected the administration’s position. The committee’s Joint Secretary, Mohammad Yasin, stated in unequivocal terms that bulldozers are being used to exert pressure, but the committee will not surrender the mosques under any circumstances.
He claimed that two of the six mosques—Langde Hafiz Mosque and Nisaran Mosque—have received stay orders from the court, which means the administration cannot take any action against them. Yasin asserted:
“Whether the road-widening happens or not, whether the project is completed or not—we will not give up our mosques.”
What Happens Next?
The Daalmandi road-widening project is considered extremely important for traffic management and commercial ease in Varanasi. However, the mosque issue has made it legally and socially sensitive. All eyes are now on the government and the judicial process, which will ultimately decide how a balance is to be struck between development and faith.
