Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Congress and “anti-development elements” of spreading misinformation through AI-generated videos and selective visuals to create unrest over the redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, one of Hinduism’s most sacred cremation grounds. The Chief Minister warned that such attempts to provoke religious sentiments and malign India’s heritage would not be tolerated.
Addressing a press briefing, Yogi Adityanath said that certain miscreants were deliberately circulating images of old and damaged idols to sow confusion and chaos amid the ongoing redevelopment work at the historic ghat. He alleged that the Congress was at the forefront of this campaign, using modern technology and fabricated content to mislead devotees and disrupt development projects.
The Chief Minister said that Kashi, regarded as the spiritual and cultural capital of India, has witnessed unprecedented development over the past decade, but such progress has repeatedly been targeted by conspiracies and misinformation.
“Certain people are deliberately trying to malign India’s heritage, obstruct development projects, and defame the eternal city of Kashi. Over the past 11 years, comprehensive development has taken place here, but misinformation and conspiracies are being used to hinder this progress,” Yogi Adityanath said, as quoted by ANI.
Drawing parallels with past controversies, he said similar attempts were made during the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, where false narratives were spread to create fear and resentment among the public.
Yogi Adityanath specifically cautioned people against believing AI-generated videos and manipulated images allegedly being circulated on social media to provoke religious emotions. He said such content was designed to create mistrust and unrest by falsely portraying damage to temples and idols at Manikarnika Ghat.
“The government will not allow anyone to play with Sanatan religious sentiments or tarnish the religious and cultural heritage of Kashi,” the Chief Minister asserted, adding that all temples and shrines at Manikarnika Ghat would remain fully protected as part of the redevelopment project.
The row erupted earlier this week after videos showing bulldozers operating at Manikarnika Ghat went viral on social media. The clips triggered protests by some local groups, including members of the Pal Samaj Samiti, supported by sections of the Marathi community.
Protesters alleged that a century-old idol of Ahilyabai Holkar had been damaged during the redevelopment work. The issue soon took a political turn, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of destroying Varanasi’s religious and cultural heritage in the name of development.
Several Congress leaders and party units shared posts on social media claiming that Manikarnika Ghat, restored historically under Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, was being “razed” under the pretext of modernisation. Senior leaders from outside Uttar Pradesh also expressed concern, urging the state government to intervene and protect the site’s heritage.
District authorities, however, have firmly denied the allegations. Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said that no idols had been damaged during the redevelopment work and described the claims circulating on social media as misleading and baseless.
The DM clarified that while certain artworks embedded in walls were affected during reconstruction, all artefacts and idols had been carefully preserved by the Culture Department and shifted to safe locations. “These will be reinstalled in their original form once the work is completed,” Kumar said.
He added that the redevelopment project aims to improve sanitation, space management, and safety at Manikarnika Ghat, which witnesses heavy footfall daily for cremations and religious rituals. The administration, he said, remains committed to preserving the ghat’s cultural and religious sanctity.
Authorities have appealed to the public to rely only on official information and not be misled by rumours or viral content on social media. As redevelopment work continues, the state government has reiterated that Manikarnika Ghat’s historical, cultural, and spiritual significance will be fully safeguarded.
