Olympian Mohammed Shahid’s house demolished in Varanasi road project, Congress slams BJP

Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi witnessed a controversy on Sunday after a part of late Olympian and Padma Shri awardee Mohammed Shahid’s home was demolished during a road-widening drive on the Kachery–Sandaha route.

The district administration maintained that the action targeted only those houses for which compensation had already been paid. However, Shahid’s family strongly objected, claiming they had not received the promised funds.

Shahid’s sister-in-law, Nazneen, said the family had been left homeless, while his cousin Mushtaq alleged that the demolition had extended beyond the notified width in their area. With a wedding in the family scheduled for October, the demolition, he said, had left them in distress.

Varanasi ADM (City) Alok Verma clarified that compensation had been provided to six of the nine occupants of the house, while the remaining three had secured stay orders, ensuring their portions were untouched. He also noted that the family had failed to submit Aadhaar and bank account details required for compensation transfer, despite being asked. Thirteen houses have been demolished so far under the project.

The incident triggered a sharp political reaction. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai condemned the demolition, calling it an “insult to India’s sporting legacy” and accusing the BJP government of disrespecting sporting icons.

The BJP dismissed the criticism as “political provocation”. Party leader Pradeep Agrahari said that only duly compensated structures were demolished and insisted that the widening project would benefit all residents of Kashi.

The late Mohammed Shahid, one of India’s most celebrated hockey players, was a key member of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning team. His legacy remains deeply cherished in Varanasi and across the country.
(With PTI inputs)