<p>Lucknow: Amid the raging controversy over alleged demolitions at the iconic Manikarnika Ghat and damage to the centuries old statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in Varanasi triggering protests, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said no temple had been demolished in Kashi (old name of Varanasi) and claimed that AI generated videos were being used to mislead the people.</p><p>‘’Disinformation campaign is on through AI generated videos….Congress is trying to create obstacles in the implementation of the project….Congress and its allies should keep in mind that that they are committing a sin and it can’t be accepted,’’ Adityanath told reporters in Varanasi.</p><p>‘’Nothing can be a greater lie than to say that temples have been demolished….Ahilyabai Holker’s statue has been preserved….Congress is misleading the people through disinformation,’’ .</p><p>The chief minister said he had to come to Kashi to dispel all rumors and disinformation about demolition of temples after fake videos were circulated on social media to this effect. </p><p>‘’Congress has been trying to demean India’s faith…efforts are on to mislead the people by raising controversial issues regarding mutts and temples and to defame the legacy of Mata Ahilyabai,’’ he said.</p><p>Adityanath said that Congress never respected India’s heritage and never tried to develop Kashi. ‘’Today when Kashi and other towns are on the path of development, efforts are being made to create obstacles,’’ he added.</p><p>He said a similar scenario had occurred during the beautification of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. </p><p>‘’The renovated temple has boosted employment and tourism….the people of the country understand it but the Congress doesn’t,’’ he remarked.</p><p>Adityanath, however, did not visit Manikarnika Ghat as was expected.</p><p><strong>Importance of Manikarnika Ghat</strong></p><p>According to Hindu beliefs, cremation of dead bodies at Manikarnika Ghat grants ‘moksha’ (salvation). The people wait for hours to cremate the bodies of the dead there.</p><p>He said that the renovation of Manikarnika Ghat was being undertaken with the CSR fund and that it was aimed at ensuring that the rituals could be performed there without any problem.</p><p>The CM said that at times, grieving people faced many difficulties and many a times half burnt bodies were also seen there. </p><p>‘’The animals feed on the bodies and sometimes the ghats are flooded and as such development works are necessary there,’’ he added.</p><p>Adityanath also referred to the pollution in the Ganga owing to the ashes of the burnt bodies.</p><p><strong>Row over Ghat destruction</strong></p><p>UP Congress chief Ajai Rai accused the state government of ‘demolishing’ the heritage of Kashi on the pretext of renovation.</p><p>Protests had erupted after a few videos showing a damaged statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the Indore based queen who had built the Manikarnika Ghat in 1771 and later got it renovated in 1791, went viral on social media. The videos also purportedly showed some damaged idols..</p><p>The district administration, however, refuted the claims and said that the Ghat was being renovated and that all the idols and statues were being preserved and would be reinstalled</p>
<p>Lucknow: Amid the raging controversy over alleged demolitions at the iconic Manikarnika Ghat and damage to the centuries old statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in Varanasi triggering protests, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said no temple had been demolished in Kashi (old name of Varanasi) and claimed that AI generated videos were being used to mislead the people.</p><p>‘’Disinformation campaign is on through AI generated videos….Congress is trying to create obstacles in the implementation of the project….Congress and its allies should keep in mind that that they are committing a sin and it can’t be accepted,’’ Adityanath told reporters in Varanasi.</p><p>‘’Nothing can be a greater lie than to say that temples have been demolished….Ahilyabai Holker’s statue has been preserved….Congress is misleading the people through disinformation,’’ .</p><p>The chief minister said he had to come to Kashi to dispel all rumors and disinformation about demolition of temples after fake videos were circulated on social media to this effect. </p><p>‘’Congress has been trying to demean India’s faith…efforts are on to mislead the people by raising controversial issues regarding mutts and temples and to defame the legacy of Mata Ahilyabai,’’ he said.</p><p>Adityanath said that Congress never respected India’s heritage and never tried to develop Kashi. ‘’Today when Kashi and other towns are on the path of development, efforts are being made to create obstacles,’’ he added.</p><p>He said a similar scenario had occurred during the beautification of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. </p><p>‘’The renovated temple has boosted employment and tourism….the people of the country understand it but the Congress doesn’t,’’ he remarked.</p><p>Adityanath, however, did not visit Manikarnika Ghat as was expected.</p><p><strong>Importance of Manikarnika Ghat</strong></p><p>According to Hindu beliefs, cremation of dead bodies at Manikarnika Ghat grants ‘moksha’ (salvation). The people wait for hours to cremate the bodies of the dead there.</p><p>He said that the renovation of Manikarnika Ghat was being undertaken with the CSR fund and that it was aimed at ensuring that the rituals could be performed there without any problem.</p><p>The CM said that at times, grieving people faced many difficulties and many a times half burnt bodies were also seen there. </p><p>‘’The animals feed on the bodies and sometimes the ghats are flooded and as such development works are necessary there,’’ he added.</p><p>Adityanath also referred to the pollution in the Ganga owing to the ashes of the burnt bodies.</p><p><strong>Row over Ghat destruction</strong></p><p>UP Congress chief Ajai Rai accused the state government of ‘demolishing’ the heritage of Kashi on the pretext of renovation.</p><p>Protests had erupted after a few videos showing a damaged statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the Indore based queen who had built the Manikarnika Ghat in 1771 and later got it renovated in 1791, went viral on social media. The videos also purportedly showed some damaged idols..</p><p>The district administration, however, refuted the claims and said that the Ghat was being renovated and that all the idols and statues were being preserved and would be reinstalled</p>