By Afshain Afzal
As a result of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship infrastructure initiatives in Varanasi, six Mosques have been demolished as part of Varanasi’s Dal Mandi Road widening project. The project aims to expand the existing road to a width of 17.5 metres, creating an alternative access route to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A total of 187 buildings, including six mosques, fall within the project area. According to officials, demolition has already been carried out on 162 structures, with nearly 70 buildings completely razed. Authorities also state that agreements have been reached with the management committees of five mosques to facilitate the project. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shivhari Meena, accompanied by approximately 250 police personnel drawn from six police stations and twelve police outposts. Five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), three drone surveillance teams, and multiple bulldozers were also deployed to destroy the Muslim’s Mosques.
Where as the Pakistani leadership, on the other hand is trying to trace back a good number of Pakistani families with their Hindu and Sikh ancestors, New Delhi is bent upon destroying culture and heritage and even religious sites. Pakistan is committed to glorify Sikh and Hindu heritage to develop their links with Muslims and establish theme of India- Pakistan’s common culture and traditions. The leadership believes that by doing so tourism will be enhanced and Pakistan would be able to earn a lot of foreign exchange.
Ironically, the foundation stone of Kartarpur Corridor was laid down on the Indian side by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan did the same for the Pakistani side on 26 November 2018. Under the MOU between Pakistan and India, 5000 Yatrees are allowed to enter from the Indian side on a daily basis. The corridor was completed for the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, on 12 November 2019. In March 2020 ECNEC approved ex post facto clearance of Rs16.5 billion for Kartarpur Corridor. One wonders how we can say that Indian leadership believes in secularism and leaders of Pakistan believe in Islamic ideology.