Old Images and False Claims Ignite Political Controversy in Kashi

The renovation of Manikarnika Ghat, Hinduism’s most sacred cremation ground, has sparked a fierce controversy after allegations emerged that the Uttar Pradesh government had damaged religious artifacts and demolished a temple during redevelopment efforts.

Claims spread rapidly across social media platforms suggesting that idols of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar had been broken and the historic Kumbha Mahadev Temple demolished as part of the project. These accusations carried significant emotional weight, as Ahilyabai Holkar, an 18th-century Maratha queen, is widely revered for her efforts to restore hundreds of Hindu temples during a period of foreign rule.

Opposition politicians quickly amplified these claims. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Independent MP Pappu Yadav accused the BJP-led government of acting like “invaders” by destroying sacred structures. Their posts, accompanied by dramatic visuals allegedly showing broken idols and demolished temple ruins, fueled public outrage.

However, official statements and independent fact-checking have since revealed a substantially different reality.

The controversy originated on January 10, 2025, when renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat included dismantling a centuries-old madhi—a circular stone platform restored by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1791. The structure contained carved stone effigies of the queen integrated into the stonework.

Vishal Khanna, assistant manager of the Khasgi Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charities Trust, clarified that while three stone slabs fractured during the dismantling process, the carved effigies themselves remained intact. “The demolition of the madhi led to three stone pieces breaking, but the carved idols remain intact,” Khanna stated.

These undamaged carvings were subsequently relocated to the Gurudham Temple, approximately three to four kilometers from Manikarnika Ghat, where they were placed under the state archaeology department’s protection. Regular worship of these artifacts has continued, contradicting claims of desecration.

The second allegation—that the Kumbha Mahadev Temple had been demolished—was categorically refuted by Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal. He explained that the temple is located within the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex, about 250 meters from Manikarnika Ghat, and was never part of the redevelopment project. “The temple is completely safe and intact,” Agarwal confirmed, adding that no religious structures had been demolished during the current work.

The viral images purportedly showing demolition were initially described as “AI-generated” by police. However, a fact-check by the Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran determined that the photos were actually taken around October 2021 during the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. These old images had been repurposed and presented out of context to suggest current destruction.

In response to the misinformation, Uttar Pradesh Police registered eight FIRs at Chowk police station against individuals accused of spreading misleading content. The accused, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, MP Pappu Yadav, Haryana Congress leader Jasvinder Kaur, and several social media users, face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that could result in three to five years’ imprisonment.

While political opponents led the public outcry, the most substantive criticism of the project came from the Holkar Trust itself. Trust president Yaswantrao Holkar wrote to Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam expressing displeasure over the demolition of the madhi without prior consultation, describing it as showing “complete disregard for the site’s history.”

Nevertheless, the trust explicitly distanced itself from allegations of idol desecration or temple demolition. It expressed support for “well-planned and sensitive development” while demanding an inquiry into communication lapses, accountability for officials involved, custody of the intact idols, and restoration of the carvings once redevelopment is complete.

Local stakeholders have largely supported the redevelopment efforts. Vishwanath Chaudhary of the Dom Raja family, hereditary custodians of cremation rites at Manikarnika for centuries, acknowledged the emotional cost of removing old structures but maintained that modernization was necessary. “No redevelopment is possible without removing old structures,” he said.

Pilgrims like Diwakar Shukla, who traveled from Jharkhand to perform last rites, highlighted existing challenges with overcrowding and inadequate facilities. “Kashi should have facilities worthy of its stature. People are struggling due to the lack of space and infrastructure,” he remarked.

Art historian Prof. Maruti Nandan Tiwari characterized the breaking of stone slabs as unfortunate but cautioned against allowing misinformation to derail an essential improvement project.

The Manikarnika controversy demonstrates how quickly misinformation involving religion and heritage can trigger widespread outrage, particularly when amplified through social media and political channels. While procedural lapses in communication occurred during the renovation process, the core allegations of idol desecration and temple demolition have been conclusively disproven through official investigations.