Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath Accuses Congress of “False Propaganda” on Kashi Redevelopment

Adityanath Accuses Congress of “False Propaganda” Over Varanasi Temple Demolition Claims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly refuted allegations regarding the demolition of temples at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, accusing the Congress of deliberately spreading misinformation to impede development projects in the sacred city.

During a press conference in Varanasi on Saturday, Adityanath claimed that images of damaged idols were being circulated on social media as part of a calculated attempt to create public outrage and disrupt ongoing redevelopment efforts at the historic ghat.

“Conspiracies are being hatched to obstruct the comprehensive development projects undertaken over the last 11 years, and misinformation is being spread,” Adityanath said. “When the Kashi Vishwanath Dham was being constructed, similar conspiracies emerged. Broken remnants of idols from statue-making workshops were circulated on social media to falsely claim that temples were being demolished.”

The Chief Minister’s visit to Varanasi came amid growing controversy over renovation work at Manikarnika Ghat, one of the city’s oldest and most sacred cremation sites along the Ganges River. Local activists and opposition parties have raised concerns about potential damage to ancient shrines during the modernization efforts.

Adityanath used the opportunity to criticize what he described as decades of neglect of Varanasi following India’s independence. “After Independence, Kashi did not receive the respect it deserved, nor the development it should have witnessed,” he said. “Over the past 11 years, Kashi has once again begun preserving and promoting its spiritual and cultural heritage while also achieving new heights through physical and infrastructural development.”

The redevelopment of Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, has been a flagship project of both the central and state governments. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, completed in 2021, significantly transformed the area surrounding the ancient temple by clearing congested lanes and creating a spacious complex connecting the shrine to the Ganges riverfront.

Highlighting the economic impact of these development initiatives, Adityanath presented impressive visitor statistics. “Before the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, an average of 5,000-25,000 pilgrims visited the shrine daily. After the corridor, this number has risen to 1.25 to 1.5 lakh devotees per day,” he stated. “On special occasions, footfall increases to six to ten lakh. Last year alone, more than 11 crore devotees visited Baba Vishwanath Dham. Kashi by itself has contributed ₹1.3 lakh crore to the country’s GDP.”

The controversy reflects ongoing tensions between preservation of heritage and modernization efforts in India’s ancient cities. Varanasi, considered one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements with a history spanning over 3,000 years, presents unique challenges for urban planners attempting to balance reverence for tradition with contemporary infrastructure needs.

Adityanath credited Prime Minister Modi with establishing a vision that maintains Varanasi’s historic character while presenting it as a modern religious and cultural destination. “Whether it is the construction of the Ram Temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya after 500 years or development works in Prayagraj, Kashi, Ayodhya, Vindhyavasini Dham, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, or other heritage locations across India, all beautification and conservation works are being carried out smoothly under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” he said.

The Congress party has not yet issued a formal response to Adityanath’s accusations, though regional opposition leaders have called for greater transparency regarding the redevelopment plans and better consultation with local religious authorities and heritage experts.

Urban development experts note that the transformation of Varanasi represents one of India’s most ambitious heritage city renovation projects, with potential lessons for similar initiatives across the country’s numerous historic urban centers.