Ajay Rai Raises Questions on Manikarnika Ghat AI Video.

The controversy surrounding the redevelopment of Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat has taken a political turn, with Congress leader Ajay Rai raising fresh questions over the government’s claims and extending support to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand.

Speaking to Dalimss News during his visit to Varanasi, Rai questioned the state government’s assertion regarding an alleged AI-generated video linked to the Manikarnika Ghat issue. He demanded greater transparency, asking the Uttar Pradesh government to clarify where and how the investigation into the video is being conducted.

“The government should clearly state which laboratory is examining the so-called AI-generated video,” Rai said, adding that vague claims without technical disclosure only deepen public mistrust. Alongside the Manikarnika Ghat matter, the Congress leader also expressed solidarity with Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, who has recently been at the centre of a controversy during the Prayagraj Magh Mela. Rai described the situation as a matter of respect for religious institutions and said that issues involving saints and spiritual leaders should be handled with sensitivity rather than confrontation.

Rai maintained that Manikarnika Ghat is not merely a redevelopment site but a living symbol of Kashi’s religious, cultural, and historical continuity. According to him, any intervention at such a sacred location must involve consultation with stakeholders connected to the ghat, including priests, traditional workers, and local residents.

The state administration, however, has reiterated that redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat is being carried out under established guidelines and that heritage elements are being preserved. Officials have also stated that appropriate action is being taken in accordance with the law regarding the disputed video. The developments highlight a broader debate unfolding in Varanasi — balancing modernization with heritage preservation, and managing religious sensitivities amid large-scale urban transformation.