VARANASI – Muslim families and traders in Dal Mandi are in this Uttar Pradesh city are facing mounting distress following a series of nighttime demolitions in their neighbourhood. The local administration has carried out bulldozer operations, targeting houses and shops, causing widespread panic and concern for families at risk of becoming homeless during the harsh winter days.
The Dal Mandi area, just 300 metres from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is a historic market known for its vibrant Banarasi culture and centuries-old Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. Narrow streets in the area host a mix of shops, homes, and mosques where thousands of Muslim families have lived and traded for generations.
According to residents, the demolitions have largely occurred at night, adding to the fear and anxiety. “Houses are being forced to vacate at night by intimidation,” said one trader requesting anonymity. “We don’t know where to go, and winter is approaching. Our families could be left on the streets.”
The administration has reportedly demolished six houses so far, while more buildings have been issued ultimatums to vacate immediately. Traders have warned that if the demolitions continue, they will “identify the officials” responsible for enforcing the orders.
“This is our home and our livelihood,” said Mohammad Shafi, a shop owner in Dal Mandi. “We have lived here for generations. The government’s actions are putting thousands of families at risk, and it feels like our heritage is being destroyed overnight.”
Authorities have stated that the demolition drive is part of a road-widening plan. Reports indicate that the 3.5-metre-wide road in Dal Mandi is slated to be expanded to 17.5 metres. While the move is presented as an urban development initiative, residents argue that it disproportionately impacts the Muslim community.
Over 190 homes and numerous shops have been identified for potential demolition.
Local historians have expressed concern over the loss of Dal Mandi’s cultural identity. “This area is not just a market; it represents centuries of Banarasi heritage, trade, and communal harmony,” said Tariq Anwar, a Varanasi-based historian. “Destroying these homes and shops erases the city’s shared history.”
The situation has escalated tensions in the area, with police and local administration deployed to maintain order. Residents, however, remain fearful of forced eviction and the challenges of winter homelessness. “The government must understand that we are citizens with families and livelihoods,” said Amina Begum, a long-time resident. “Demolishing our homes at night does not solve any problem; it only creates fear and uncertainty.”
As the Dal Mandi bulldozer drive continues, Muslim traders and families await government clarification, urging authorities to consider the human cost of urban development alongside heritage preservation.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net.
