VARANASI, Nov. 12 -- A Congress delegation led by city unit president Raghavendra Chaubey, visited the house of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan in Varanasi. They demanded that the government should preserve shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan's legacy and the cultural memories associated with him. The delegation consisted of Manish Sharma, Dhananjay Tripathi, Abdul Hamid Dode, Kishan Yadav, Md Uzzair, and Ramji Gupta who met Ustad's family members to discuss their challenges, current circumstances, and issues related to their livelihood. They noted that the poor condition of the residence and the struggles faced by the family of an artist-who earned international acclaim for the nation through his shehnai and was honoured with the country's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna-raise serious questions about our commitment to our cultural heritage and our social responsibilities. The delagtion statefd that rather than limiting Ustad Bismillah Khan's legacy to ceremonial events and speeches, the government should prioritize the preservation of his family and the cultural memories associated with him. Regarding the dilapidated condition of the house, Bismillah Khan's grandson Mohammad Sibtain said, "The house is in dilapidated condition. I will get it renovated myself. No government or anyone else is involved." In this regard, the VDA Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has also clarified that the structure is being demolished by Ustad's family as part of a renovation project. The family also plans to set up a museum dedicated to the Bharat Ratna awardee at the site, the VDA said. The VDA issued an inquiry report following complaints and queries on social media. According to the authority, the demolition is not the result of any government action but is being carried out by the Bismillah Khan's family. VDA secretary Ved Prakash Mishra said an inquiry was conducted following complaints received through social media platforms, including X and Facebook. The inquiry revealed that the property, located at house number CK 46/63, Bhikhashah Gali, Sarai Hadha, Chowk, belongs to Md Sibtain, grandson of Ustad Bismillah Khan and son of the late Mahtab Hussain. Spread over approximately 500 square feet, the ground-plus-one structure had become old and dilapidated. The family members are demolishing it to facilitate renovation and new construction, Mishra said. He added that the family intends to establish a museum dedicated to Ustad Bismillah Khan at the site after reconstruction to help preserve the maestro's legacy and the cultural heritage associated with the shehnai. Mishra clarified that the demolition is being carried out solely by the family, with neither the VDA nor the district administration having any role in the process....