A demolition drive at the Manikarnika Ghat was met with protests from locals, who alleged that the city's heritage was being destroyed in the name of redevelopment, a charge rejected by the district administration. Officials said that the drive was carried out under a redevelopment plan of Manikarnika Ghat on Tuesday (January 13, 2026). Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred cremation grounds in Hinduism, believed to grant 'moksha' or liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and holds immense religious and cultural significance for devotees across the country. However, the administration said the row appeared to have been triggered due to confusion over the redevelopment work. Leading the protest, a samiti member, Mahendra Pal, alleged "Under the guise of development, the original character of Manikarnika Ghat was being tampered with and the city's heritage was being destroyed."

Source: The Hindu January 14, 2026 12:58 UTC