Varanasi: A 500-year-old Imambara in Varanasi has come under dispute after the local civic body issued a notice claiming the structure was built on municipal land. The Varanasi Nagar Nigam has directed the caretakers of the Imambara to present ownership documents within a fixed time frame. Officials said failure to provide proof would result in legal action and possible transfer of the property to the civic body.
The Imambara, known for its historical and religious significance, has been under the management of a Shia community trust for generations. The notice has sparked strong opposition from community leaders who argue that the Imambara is a waqf property and has served as a religious and cultural center for centuries. They have called the municipal claim baseless and demanded immediate withdrawal of the notice.
Shia leaders pointed out that records with the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board list the Imambara as a protected waqf property. They said the civic body’s attempt to take control disregards legal provisions governing waqf institutions. Several groups have announced that they will challenge the notice in court.
Community representatives stressed that such disputes create unnecessary tension and erode trust between local authorities and religious groups. They urged the government to intervene and safeguard the rights of waqf institutions.
The Imambara is not only a place of worship but also a site for Muharram rituals that draw large gatherings every year. Residents fear that any attempt to interfere with its status would disturb religious harmony in the city.
The dispute in Varanasi has drawn wider attention as similar cases of claims over historical religious sites have emerged in different states. Legal experts say the outcome of this case will have significant implications for the protection of minority religious properties in India.
