Eight FIRs have been registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police in Varanasi against individuals and specific X (formerly Twitter) handles for allegedly circulating AI-generated images and misleading information related to the redevelopment and beautification work at the historically significant Manikarnika Ghat.
Officials claim the content distorted facts, hurt Hindu religious sentiments, and attempted to provoke public anger and social disharmony. The cases, filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), followed a complaint by a Tamil Nadu-based project representative whose company has been executing the work since November 2025.
While police maintain the action is necessary to curb misinformation and maintain harmony, the move has sparked political controversy, with opposition leaders named in the FIRs denying wrongdoing and alleging suppression of dissent. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have warned of strict action against the spread of rumours and digitally manipulated content.
AI-Generated Content, FIRs and Police Action in Varanasi
The Varanasi police have lodged eight separate cases against individuals accused of spreading fabricated visuals and misleading narratives on social media regarding the ongoing redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat, one of Hinduism’s most sacred cremation grounds.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Varanasi) Gaurav Bansal said the cases were registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against eight individuals and certain X handles, along with others who reposted or commented on the content. According to the police, AI-generated images and videos were shared on the night of January 16, falsely depicting damage to religious structures and linking the visuals to Hindu deities.
“These posts were contrary to the actual facts of the beautification work and were aimed at misleading devotees, hurting religious sentiments and disturbing social harmony,” Bansal said. He added that the content triggered a surge of objectionable comments and reposts, escalating tensions online.
The police further alleged that beyond religious provocation, there was an attempt to create resentment against the government. Given the sensitivity of the site and the scale of online engagement, authorities said legal action was unavoidable and warned that action would also be taken against those amplifying misinformation on social media platforms.
Redevelopment Work, Complaint and Political Fallout
The cases stem from a complaint filed at Chowk police station by Mano, a resident of Tamil Nadu, who stated that his company has been engaged in strengthening cremation-related infrastructure and beautifying Manikarnika Ghat since November 15, 2025.
According to the complaint, the circulated images misrepresented routine redevelopment activities, falsely portraying them as destruction or desecration of religious heritage. Officials reiterated that no temple or sacred structure had been damaged during the work and that all activities were being carried out in consultation with local authorities and stakeholders.
However, the issue has quickly taken on a political dimension. Among those named in the FIRs are opposition figures, including Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and independent MP Pappu Yadav, who have denied spreading false information. Singh publicly criticised the FIR, arguing that raising concerns about heritage conservation should not be equated with misinformation.
The controversy has also drawn comments from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who accused opposition parties of deliberately spreading false narratives about temple demolition to mislead the public and defame the government. The local administration, meanwhile, has maintained that the visuals in question were digitally manipulated and bore no resemblance to the actual work underway.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode underscores a growing and troubling challenge at the intersection of technology, faith, and public discourse. The misuse of AI-generated images to create or amplify misleading narratives can inflame sentiments rapidly, particularly when religious sites of deep emotional and cultural significance are involved. At the same time, the controversy raises important questions about how concerns over heritage, governance, and development can be voiced responsibly without fuelling misinformation or deepening polarisation.
While the state has a legitimate duty to curb deliberate falsehoods that threaten communal harmony, transparency in investigations and proportionality in action are equally vital to sustaining public trust. Social media platforms, political actors, and citizens must collectively recognise their responsibility in verifying information before sharing it, especially in an era where digital manipulation is increasingly sophisticated.
