Eight FIRs filed as AI-images of Manikarnika Ghat spark political storm, CM Yogi hits back at opposition
Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat redevelopment faces a high-tech legal battle. AI-generated images and fabricated claims, accusing officials of tarnishing heritage, sparked FIRs and a government crackdown on digital misinformation.
New Delhi: The redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat, one of Hinduism’s most revered cremation sites, has become the centre of a high-tech legal battle. Varanasi authorities have registered eight FIRs following the viral spread of AI-generated images and "fabricated" claims that officials say were designed to incite public outrage and tarnish the city’s heritage.
The crackdown on "digital fabrications"
Varanasi police have targeted eight people and multiple X (formerly Twitter) handles under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Gaurav Bansal, the shared visuals were "contrary to facts" and appeared to be a calculated attempt to disturb social harmony.
"Attempts were made not only to hurt religious sentiments by linking visuals to deities but also to create an anti-government mindset in society," DCP Bansal stated. He warned that legal action is not limited to original posters; those who reposted or commented on the misleading content are also being monitored.
A heritage at stake? The opposition lashes out
The controversy gained momentum when the Congress party’s official handle shared a video featuring the disputed images. They characterised the redevelopment as "pure narcissism in power" and "erasing India’s identity," drawing a controversial comparison to the beautification of Jallianwala Bagh, which critics claim sanitised history for commercial gain.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule also joined the fray, tagging Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and expressing "deep concern" over reports of heritage alterations. She urged the government to clarify that the modernisation process respects the site's historical and cultural sanctity.
CM Yogi hits back
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed the uproar as a desperate attempt by the opposition to mislead the public. Speaking to reporters, he framed the current project as a continuation of the successful Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which has seen daily footfall jump from 15,000 to over 1.5 lakh devotees.
"Even then, some people attempted to mislead the public by displaying broken idols. Today, the truth is before everyone," Adityanath said, accusing the Congress of "baseless allegations" and promising strict consequences for those using social media to spread "false propaganda."
A contractor’s complaint
The legal machinery was set in motion by a complaint from Mano, a Tamil Nadu resident whose firm has been working on strengthening cremation facilities at the ghat since late 2024.
Mano reported that on the night of January 16, an X user began circulating distorted, AI-generated images that presented a "distorted reality" of the construction. He alleged these posts were designed to provoke resentment among Hindu devotees by misrepresenting the ongoing work.