Government Should Take Action Against Those Who Destroy Temples, Don’t Try to Scare Me with an FIR – Sanjay Singh

January 2026 : Sanjay Singh, Aam Aadmi Party MP and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, strongly reacted after an FIR was filed against him in Varanasi. He said that in Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary constituency, Manikarnika Ghat was devastated, temples were destroyed, and even the statue of Mata Ahilyabai Holkar, who had overseen the renovation of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, was broken. This was opposed by the saints of Kashi as well as Ahilyabai Holkar’s family. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also raised objections. Yet, the FIR was filed only against him. “The government should take action against the sinners who destroyed temples. Don’t try to scare me with an FIR,” he said.

On Sunday, Sanjay Singh stated that the BJP government is destroying Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. The ghat, built in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar and later renovated, has been badly damaged. In Hinduism, it is believed that liberation is attained after cremation at Manikarnika Ghat, but it is now being desecrated. He emphasized that this is happening not under Mughal rule or during Mahmud of Ghazni’s reign, but under Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Sanjay Singh pointed out that all this is happening in the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency, which has angered the people of Varanasi. They are questioning why the ancient temples there are being destroyed. The temple of Mother Ganga was demolished, the place housing a Shiva idol was damaged, and Ahilyabai Holkar’s statue was broken. The entire ghat was desecrated. Local saints and sadhus recorded videos at the site while the ghat was being destroyed, providing direct evidence—no further proof is needed.

He added that it is strange that instead of taking action against those sinners and criminals who damaged temples and hurt the faith of Hindus, an FIR was registered against him for raising this issue. Ahilyabai Holkar’s family has also expressed that destroying Manikarnika Ghat is wrong and sinful. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, herself from BJP, also protested, stating that destroying temples at Manikarnika Ghat is completely wrong, illegal, and sinful.

Sanjay Singh further criticized the BJP’s practice of filing FIRs and cases against anyone speaking the truth to suppress voices. He said clearly that FIRs and lawsuits cannot scare, stop, or intimidate him. “I will continue to speak the truth,” he affirmed.

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure that FIRs are filed against those committing the crime of destroying temples and that strict action is taken against them. “It is shameful that all this is happening in the Prime Minister’s constituency. The BJP government will not succeed in trying to silence me by filing an FIR,” he concluded.