Varanasi Daalmandi Demolition Row: Samajwadi Party Leaders

Several leaders of the Samajwadi Party were placed under house arrest in Varanasi on Tuesday after the party announced a visit to Daalmandi to meet families affected by the ongoing demolition drive.

The action followed directions from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who asked party leaders to assess the ground situation and interact with residents facing displacement. A delegation of 11 members was formed under the leadership of Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Lal Bihari Yadav.

However, soon after the delegation list became public, Varanasi police imposed restrictions, citing a ban on entry into the Daalmandi area without prior permission. Police teams reportedly reached the residences of several SP leaders late at night and informed them they would not be allowed to step out.

SP leader Satyaprakash Sonkar said police from Lanka police station visited his home and told him Daalmandi had been declared a restricted zone. He termed the move “undemocratic” and alleged that even peaceful solidarity with affected families was being prevented.

Another SP leader, Aman Yadav, was also placed under house arrest. He accused the government of adopting a “dictatorial attitude” and claimed repeated restrictions could impact his employment. He added that party workers would continue to raise their voice against what they consider injustice.

The proposed delegation was to be led by former minister Surendra Patel and included MLC Ashutosh Sinha, district president Sujit Yadav, women’s wing state president Reebu Srivastava, Ashfaq Ahmed W, former MLA Samad Ansari, Pooja Yadav, Vishnu Sharma, Lalu Yadav, and Dilshad Ahmed Dillu.

The controversy is linked to the ₹215-crore Daalmandi road widening project. Under the plan, a 650-metre stretch will be expanded to approximately 17.5 metres in width. The project is expected to affect 181 houses and six mosques in the area.