Manikarnika Ghat Row: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday accused certain miscreants of sharing images of old and damaged idols to deliberately sow confusion and chaos amid the redevelopment
of the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.
While addressing a press briefing, the Chief Minister accused the Congress of spreading misinformation and using AI-generated videos to incite public sentiments against the ongoing redevelopment work at the historic cremation ground.
Yogi Adityanath said that attempts were being made to malign India’s heritage, obstruct development projects and defame Kashi, the spiritual and cultural capital of the country. He said similar conspiracies had been witnessed during the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project.
“Certain people are deliberately trying to malign India’s heritage, obstruct development projects, and defame the eternal city of Kashi, which is known as the spiritual and cultural capital of India. Over the past 11 years, comprehensive development has taken place in Kashi, but conspiracies and misinformation are being used to hinder this progress,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | वाराणसी: उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ ने कहा, “कांग्रेस के द्वारा जो दुष्प्रचार किया जा रहा है। AI वीडियो बनाकर गुमराह करने के प्रयास हो रहा है। सनातन की धार्मिक भावनाओं के साथ खिलवाड़ हो रहा है। हर व्यक्ति जानता है कि मणिकर्णिका में जो मंदिर हैं, वे इस… pic.twitter.com/mtMGB3zpt2
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) January 17, 2026
He further cautioned the public against AI-generated videos allegedly being circulated to provoke religious sentiments and said that the government would not tolerate any attempt to tarnish the religious and cultural heritage of the temple town. He also asserted that all temples at Manikarnika Ghat would remain protected as part of the redevelopment.
What’s The Row?
The Chief Minister’s remarks came after a controversy erupted over the ongoing redevelopment works of the iconic ghat. Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is regarded as one of the most sacred cremation grounds in Hinduism.
The controversy erupted earlier this week after videos showing bulldozers at the iconic cremation ground went viral on social media, triggering protests by some local groups. Protesters, including members of the Pal Samaj Samiti supported by sections of the Marathi community, alleged that a century-old idol of Ahilyabai Holkar had been damaged during the redevelopment work.
Political reactions followed, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP-led government of harming Varanasi’s heritage in the name of development.
Modi government has bulldozed and destroyed the centuries-old religious, cultural, and spiritual heritage in Banaras under the pretext of commercialization.
The Manikarnika Ghat in Banaras, whose restoration was carried out by Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar ji, has been razed. pic.twitter.com/ZfiSGINeyr
— J&K Congress (@INCJammuKashmir) January 15, 2026
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, is a sacred site of immense cultural and historical significance, shaped over centuries and closely associated with the legacy of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar.
Reports of alterations affecting this heritage are deeply concerning.
Requesting Hon. Yogi… pic.twitter.com/vzzYnhD5Uh
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) January 14, 2026
Authorities Deny Allegations
However, district authorities have denied the allegations. Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said on Friday that no idols had been damaged during the reconstruction work. He said misleading and baseless claims were being spread on social media.
Kumar clarified that while some artworks embedded in walls were affected during the reconstruction, all artefacts and idols had been preserved by the Culture Department and moved to a safe location. He said they would be reinstalled in their original form after completion of the work.
The district magistrate said the redevelopment aimed to improve sanitation, space management and safety at Manikarnika Ghat, which witnesses heavy crowds for cremations and other rituals. He appealed to the public to rely only on official information and not to pay attention to rumours.
Officials have maintained that the cultural and religious significance of Manikarnika Ghat will be fully preserved as the redevelopment continues.
(With inputs from agencies)
