Olympian Mohammed Shahid's house razed in Varanasi; Congress decries BJP govt
Varanasi (PTI): A portion of Padma Shri awardee Olympian Mohammed Shahid's house here was demolished by a bulldozer in a road-widening drive, triggering a protest from the late hockey player's family.
According to the administration, the demolition was carried out only on those properties for which compensation had already been paid.
The iconic hockey player's home is located along the Kachery-Sandaha route, where the demolition drive was carried out on Sunday.
Shahid's sister-in-law, Nazneen, claimed that she had not received any compensation and did not own any alternative property.
"We have nowhere else to go with our family," she said.
His cousin, Mushtaq, said the family is preparing for a wedding, scheduled in October, and alleged that the affected household did not have even an inch of land elsewhere.
"If this continues, we will be forced onto the streets," he said.
Mushtaq also alleged that while road widening elsewhere had been limited to 21 metres, in his locality, it was extended to 25 metres.
Varanasi ADM (City) Alok Verma said, "In the road widening project, action is being taken to remove only those properties for which compensation has already been paid. Sometimes, during bulldozer operations, slight deviations can occur, but no structure is being arbitrarily demolished."
Asked about Shahid's house, Verma stated that the structure housed nine people, six of whom had received compensation. The remaining three had obtained stay orders from the court, and their portions were left untouched, he said.
"So far, 13 houses have been demolished as part of the drive," he said.
Verma added that Shahid's family had earlier asked for more time, citing a wedding.
The administration, in response, requested their Aadhaar and account details for the compensation transfer, but they failed to submit the documents.
Uttar Pradesh UP Congress president Ajay Rai denounced the demolition of the sportsman's house.
"The BJP government has demolished the house of Padma Shri Mohammed Shahid. This was not just a house, but a symbol of the nation's sporting legacy. The BJP government, which insults talent and respected figures on the land of Kashi, will not be forgiven by the people," he said.
BJP's Mahanagar president Pradeep Agrahari said that only those who had received compensation whose houses were demolished.
"The road widening will benefit the entire population of Kashi. Opposition party members are making baseless statements about the road widening to mislead and provoke the public," he said.
The BJP leader added that roads are being widened at many places in the city, and the affected people are being duly compensated for it.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
ALSO READ: Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
