Overview
- Yashwant Rao Holkar visited Varanasi, met district officials and submitted a memorandum seeking full reconstruction and reinstallation of statues he says were damaged.
- Varanasi’s administration has opened an inquiry after excavation work demolished a structure that reportedly housed an effigy linked to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.
- District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar says no temple was harmed and that idols and artworks found during work were secured by the Culture Department for reinstallation.
- Protests continued in Varanasi led by Pal community leaders and spread to Indore, where Congress workers staged demonstrations and demanded accountability.
- Mallikarjun Kharge publicly attacked the redevelopment, while a viral video of an earthmover at the site fueled anger that officials countered with warnings about misleading content.