Overview
- During a Varanasi visit, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused opponents of circulating AI-generated videos and using old broken idols to falsely suggest desecration.
- Varanasi’s district magistrate reiterated that no temple was demolished and that artefacts were preserved, with plans to reinstall them after construction.
- An Additional District Magistrate told the Indian Express that one statue broke during work and a probe is underway to identify it, while wall-carved idols on a platform were affected and secured.
- The Manikarnika project, launched in 2023 and about 20% complete, spans roughly 90,000 sq ft with Rs 17–20 crore in CSR funding to add cremation platforms, wider access, sanitation upgrades, and tall chimneys.
- Local groups including Pal Samaj Samiti and Congress leaders continue protests and demand a halt, alleging damage such as to an Ahilyabai Holkar idol, claims the administration disputes.