Demolitions for the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor grows Resentment among the Locals
Amidst the unprecedented demolition drives, what is being left unattended is the misery of thousands of affected masses who are losing their livelihoods and are being pushed to a state of destitution, as can be seen in the video. Centuries-old temples, houses and shops are being razed with short notice periods and a meagre compensation of one lakh rupees which in no means will help them survive. The shopkeepers are strongly protesting against this unfair act and have put banners outside their shops that say “Ek hi Bhool, Kamal Ka phool. Modiji ek kaam karo, pehle roti ka intejaam karo fir humko berojgar karo” (The only mistake is that we voted for the Lotus which represents the BJP. Mr. Modi please arrange for our food before making us unemployed). They are demanding to get rehabilitated and be provided with alternative sources of income before destroying their years of hard-work.
Further, there is a fear of another Babri Masjid like disaster to happen in Kashi where the temple shares its wall with the 17th century Gyanvapi mosque. Nobody can forget the famous Hindutva slogan after the demolition of Babri Masjid- ‘ye to bas ek jhanki hai, Kashi, Mathura baaki hai’ (this is just a trailer, Kashi and Mathura are still to come) where Kashi refers to the Gyanvapi mosque. This has created communal tensions.
The corridor is destroying the essence of Varanasi; its cultural heritage and identity. It is creating communal polarisation and filling people with anger and resentment.
Demolitions for the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor grows Resentment among the Locals
Amidst the unprecedented demolition drives, what is being left unattended is the misery of thousands of affected masses who are losing their livelihoods and are being pushed to a state of destitution, as can be seen in the video. Centuries-old temples, houses and shops are being razed with short notice periods and a meagre compensation of one lakh rupees which in no means will help them survive. The shopkeepers are strongly protesting against this unfair act and have put banners outside their shops that say “Ek hi Bhool, Kamal Ka phool. Modiji ek kaam karo, pehle roti ka intejaam karo fir humko berojgar karo” (The only mistake is that we voted for the Lotus which represents the BJP. Mr. Modi please arrange for our food before making us unemployed). They are demanding to get rehabilitated and be provided with alternative sources of income before destroying their years of hard-work.
Further, there is a fear of another Babri Masjid like disaster to happen in Kashi where the temple shares its wall with the 17th century Gyanvapi mosque. Nobody can forget the famous Hindutva slogan after the demolition of Babri Masjid- ‘ye to bas ek jhanki hai, Kashi, Mathura baaki hai’ (this is just a trailer, Kashi and Mathura are still to come) where Kashi refers to the Gyanvapi mosque. This has created communal tensions.
The corridor is destroying the essence of Varanasi; its cultural heritage and identity. It is creating communal polarisation and filling people with anger and resentment.
Related Articles
News in Brief
In Focus
Theme

On India's 70th Constitution Day, the Subversive Sangh

‘Stand by JNU!’ Solidarity Statements from across the world
Campaigns
Videos
Freedom
The Citizenship Amendment Bill is Partition 2.0 : Dhruv Rathee
While the entire nation is staging massive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019, recently passed by the upper house of the Parliament, Dhruv Rathee explains, point by point, the problems and innate unconstitutionality of this bill and how it puts the life of citizens in jeopardy.
Freedom
The Citizenship Amendment Bill is Partition 2.0 : Dhruv Rathee
While the entire nation is staging massive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019, recently passed by the upper house of the Parliament, Dhruv Rathee explains, point by point, the problems and innate unconstitutionality of this bill and how it puts the life of citizens in jeopardy.
Archives
IN FACT
Podcasts
Analysis

On India's 70th Constitution Day, the Subversive Sangh

‘Stand by JNU!’ Solidarity Statements from across the world
Freedom
Protests intensify in Assam, prominent BJP leaders resign, ULFA declares fight against CAB