Uttar Pradesh: Eight booked under BNS after CM Yogi flags fake AI-generated ‘bulldozer action’ visuals at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi

Manikarnika Ghat controversy
8 booked in Varanasi over Manikarnika Ghat controversy (Image via PTI)

A controversy erupted in Varanasi after rumours began circulating on social media claiming that bulldozer action was being carried out at Manikarnika Ghat, one of Hinduism’s holiest cremation grounds. Varanasi Police has booked eight on Saturday, 17th January, for circulating misleading photos and videos. Several posts related to the issue went viral online, creating confusion and concern among people. The Uttar Pradesh government later clarified that these visuals were fake and AI-generated.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the issue during a press conference in Varanasi, calling the viral content misleading and fabricated. Soon after his statement, the Varanasi police registered multiple cases against those accused of spreading false and provocative information on social media.

AI-Generated images spread through social media

As reported by the police and other government sources, false images and videos concerning the process of beautification of Manikarnika Ghat were being spread on X (formerly Twitter). X handle user Ashutosh Potnis (@daksinapathpati) first shared photographs on Friday, 16th January at 10.02 PM, which were associated with Hindu gods and goddesses. Some of these posts shared manipulated images of Hindu gods and goddesses, which were claimed to be intended to offend religious feelings, thereby unbalancing social harmony. X user daksinapathpati has deactivated the account following the action by the UP Government.

Source: X

Officials said the posts attempted to falsely portray the ongoing development work as an attack on religious traditions. In some cases, the posts also tried to link the Government of India with Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, further fuelling anger and misunderstanding among people.

8 booked under multiple BNS sections

The Varanasi police registered cases against eight individuals and related X handles at the Chowk police station. On Saturday, 17th January, the FIRs were filed under Sections 196, 298, 299 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said these sections relate to spreading false information, hurting religious sentiments, creating social unrest and misleading the public.

Officials confirmed that eight separate cases have been registered so far in connection with the viral posts related to Manikarnika Ghat.

The cases were registered following a complaint by an office-bearer of the GVS Engineers Consultant company, carrying out installation and development work at Manikarnika Ghat. In his complaint, the man stated that his company has been working at the site since 15th November, 2025.

He said he came across a number of social media posts propagating completely false and baseless claims relating to the project. These posts, he asserted, were damaging the company’s reputation and causing unnecessary tension among locals and devotees.

What CM Yogi said on the controversy

During his visit to Varanasi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly criticised the spread of fake content. He said that the Congress party had used AI-generated videos to disrupt the ongoing development work in the Dalmandi area. He said there was a deliberate conspiracy to defame Kashi and mislead people.

CM Yogi also said that the importance of Kashi Vishwanath Dham has enhanced remarkably since 2014, and the number of devotees coming to the city has also increased substantially. He further said that Kashi is being developed without compromising the heritage of the place.

Written by Shriti Sagar
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