Varanasi Renovation Sparks False Temple Desecration Claims

On 10 January 2025, renovation at Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat fractured an 18th-century madhi, prompting viral claims that Ahilyabai Holkar's idols were desecrated and that Kumbha Mahadev Temple was demolished. Authorities and the Khasgi Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charities Trust clarified the carved idols survived and were relocated to Gurudham Temple; the temple remains intact and viral images were old or misattributed. Police filed multiple FIRs over misleading content.