Akhilesh Yadav Criticises BJP Over Demolition At Bismillah Khan Home, Officials And Family Deny Claims

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the BJP over the demolition of a portion of shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan's house in Varanasi, calling it an attack on the country's shared legacy. In a post on X, Yadav stated that destroying the legacy of a Bharat Ratna awardee dishonours the nation and accused the BJP and its allies of having a narrow, orthodox mindset. He also promised that his party will build a museum called 'Shravan-Sangrahalay' to protect the late musician's musical heritage if they come to power.

Official And Family Denials

Soon after the opposition leader's social media post, Varanasi Municipal Corporation officials denied any role in the demolition, stating that the late musician's family carried it out independently. VMC Public Relations Officer Sandeep Srivastava explained that discussions had taken place regarding setting up a museum at the site to honour the city's eminent personalities, but the family did not give their consent. Family members of Bismillah Khan also rejected Yadav's claims of political interference or wrongful demolition.

Police And Grandson Clarifications

Chowk police station SHO Vijay Kumar Shukla confirmed that the property owner carried out the demolition independently after a family dispute over portions of the property was resolved at the station. Police noted that the VMC had previously issued a notice about the building's poor structural condition. Mohammad Sibtain, the grandson of Bismillah Khan, stated that the 90-year-old structure was extremely dilapidated and was taken down with the full consent of the family. He added that the family is receiving complete support from the administration and that a museum for the shehnai maestro will be built on the first floor of the newly reconstructed building.

Context

Varanasi is a historic city known for its deep cultural roots and prominent artists, making the preservation of heritage properties a subject of public interest. Civic bodies often review old structures for safety concerns while families manage private ancestral properties. Public figures frequently comment on these developments when historical figures are involved.