VARANASI: The heat of Gujarat, where people from UP and Bihar are facing constant attack, is also being felt in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency Varanasi. Former Gujarat chief minister Modi won Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi in 2014.A newly formed group –" UP-Bihar Ekta Manch " put up posters in some parts of the city with a warning note "Narendra Modi Banaras Chhoro" (Narendra Modi, Quit Varanasi). They also warned the Gujarati people living here to leave the city within a week or be ready to face the consequences. Varanasi SSP Anand Kulkarni when contacted said that no one would be allowed to issue threat to anyone. He would look into the matter, he added.Raising slogans like "Narendra Modi Banaras Chhoro" and "Uttar Bharatiyon par atyachar band karo" and displaying posters, the members of Manch led by Vishwanath Kunwar , a former student of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, took out procession in Sigra area on Tuesday. They also pasted the poster on the walls mainly in Sigra locality. Beginning with –Chetwani Patra the poster reads –"Gujarat, Maharashtra mein Uttar Bharatiyon par ho rahe hinsa ke khilaf Banaras se Jang-e-Elan…..Gujarati Narendra Modi Banaras Chhoro". (Declaration of war from Banaras against the violent attack on North Indians in Gujarat and Maharastra. Gujarati Narendra Modi quit Banaras). The poster further warns –"Banaras mein nivas kar rahe samast Gujarati evam Maharashtriyon se appeal hai ki ek saptah ke andar Banaras chhor kar chale jaye vrna anjam bhugatne ke liye taiyyar rahein" (All people from Gujarat and Maharashtra living in Varanasi are appealed to leave the city within a week or be ready to face the consequences)."We gave respect to Modi and elected him MP from here to lead the country. But today when people from UP and Bihar are being attacked in Gujarat he (Modi) is silent," said Kunwar wondering, "Have we elected him to see our people being beaten and ousted from Gujarat". "The exodus of Gujarati people from here will begin if immediate action is not taken for the safety of North Indians and punishment to the people involved in attacks," he said adding that Modi would also have to return to Gujarat in 2019 if the things remain the same."We came to know that posters have been pasted in some area. Protest can be done in democratic way, but it would not be allowed if it comes under category of offence," said the SSP adding that the matter is being looked into.Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ajay Rai , who contested against Modi in 2014, said that it is unfortunate that North Indian families are being attacked in Gujarat. "It’s a failure of the government and administration that the people who elected Modi from their area are being targeted in his home state," he said adding that it is a matter of serious concern, and people of Kashi would do satyagrah if the attacks are not stopped.The Gujarati people living in Varanasi for generations are also sad over Gujarat violence. They, however, feel safe in Varanasi. "It is wrong to attack on innocent people from UP and Bihar and force them to leave Gujarat just for the wrong doing of a single person," said Babloo, a resident of Gujarati Gali in Soniya area whose forefathers settled here decades ago. Over 2500 Gujarati people live in Gujarati Gali. Besides, several other localities including Chaukhambha, THatheri Bazar and Gopal Shu lane also have sizeable Gujarati population.

Stay updated with all the Varanasi Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.