Up Politics: Political Storm Over Manikarnika Ghat Redevelopment as Mayawati Seeks Clarity on Ahilyabai Holkar Statue

A major political controversy has erupted over the redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, with allegations of damage to statues during the reconstruction process. The issue has intensified after claims surfaced that idols, including that of Ahilyabai Holkar, were removed or damaged, sparking public outrage. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier clarified that no statue was broken and termed the viral visuals as AI-generated images meant to spread misinformation. However, the controversy refuses to die down. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has now entered the debate, stating that reports of Ahilyabai Holkar’s statue being removed have caused anger in society. She has demanded that the government clearly explain its position to ensure public sentiments are not hurt. Earlier, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai also targeted the Yogi government, accusing it of disrespecting historical and cultural heritage. The administration has maintained that misleading visuals were circulated and confirmed that cases have been registered against individuals accused of spreading fake, AI-generated content. Meanwhile, local residents and priests say the redevelopment project has been ongoing for months, and affected artefacts are being managed systematically.

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