Five Varanasi Mosques Partially Demolished for Road-Widening Project

Five Varanasi Mosques Partially Demolished for Road-Widening Project
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Authorities in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, have begun the partial demolition of five mosques as part of the Dalmandi road-widening project, following the conclusion of Muharram gatherings and under heavy security.

The redevelopment project affects 181 houses and six mosques. Officials said the management committees of five mosques consented to the removal of portions of their structures after consultations with the administration, while the management of Langde Hafiz Mosque declined to give its consent.

The demolition follows a ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which rejected a petition seeking to halt the project. The court held that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 does not prevent the state from acquiring religious properties for public infrastructure projects.

The operation began at Masjid Mirza Karimullah Beg, with workers manually dismantling designated sections of the building. Authorities deployed nearly 1,900 security personnel, sealed access roads, and restricted public and media access during the operation.

According to officials, action has been completed on 162 of the 181 properties identified for the project, including the partial removal of five mosques. Community representatives said the agreed demolitions were carried out in coordination with the administration to facilitate the long-planned road expansion.