AAP Varanasi Protests Manikarnika Ghat Renovation,

VARANASI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Varanasi unit on Tuesday staged a strong protest against the ongoing Manikarnika Ghat renovation work, alleging that the historic ghat—originally constructed by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar—has been damaged in the name of redevelopment. The protest adds to the intensifying political debate surrounding heritage conservation at one of Hinduism’s most sacred cremation ghats.

The demonstration was led by AAP District President Kailash Patel, along with senior party leaders and workers, who gathered in large numbers to register their opposition. Protesters accused the authorities of undermining the historical and cultural legacy of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar during the corridor construction work.

Raising slogans such as “Rani Ahilyabai Holkar ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate the insult to Rani Ahilyabai Holkar), party workers demanded immediate steps to safeguard the ghat’s original structure and heritage value.

AAP leaders asserted that Manikarnika Ghat is not merely a site of religious importance but also a symbol of India’s rich historical legacy. They claimed that any alteration or demolition of structures associated with the Holkar dynasty amounts to an affront to the legacy of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, who is widely revered for her contribution to temple construction and cultural preservation across India.

Following the protest, an AAP delegation submitted a memorandum to the district administration, urging officials to ensure that no historical structures linked to the Holkar era are damaged during the redevelopment process. The party also demanded transparency in the renovation work and called for consultation with historians and heritage experts before proceeding further.

The Manikarnika Ghat controversy has sparked sharp political reactions in recent days, with multiple parties demanding clarity from the government on whether any heritage structures have been affected. Meanwhile, the administration has maintained that no historical or religious legacy will be harmed during development works.

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