In yet another instance of BJP’s anti-Muslim drive in Uttar Pradesh, authorities demolished ten buildings in a Muslim-majority area near Kachahari Crossing in Varanasi under the garb of a road-widening project. The demolition was carried out along the stretch between Sandaha and Kachahari Crossing with six bulldozers and a Poklane machine, forcing residents and shopkeepers to remove belongings as some were compelled to dismantle parts of their properties themselves. 

Officials claimed the buildings were declared dilapidated by Varanasi Municipal Corporation and were obstructing the 10-kilometre road-widening project. Only 300 metres between Police Lines and Kachahari Crossing remained unfinished.The operation was carried out under heavy police deployment, affecting traffic and drawing complaints from lawyers travelling to district court complex who described it as arbitrary.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)