Modi’s Manikarnika Ghat Makeover | 'Restoring' Kashi Or Making A Budget Disneyland? | Akash Banerjee

Scenes from the sacred Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi are going viral as the ancient cremation ground is bulldozed in the name of redevelopment. While the government claims the work follows a plan and even files FIRs against rumor spreaders, locals tell a different story: broken idol fragments and sculptures lie scattered, and the new construction looks ugly, grotesque, and soulless. In this episode of Deshbhakt, we unpack Varanasi’s ‘vikas’ and how the city is being robbed of its heritage for tourist comfort and political credit, questioning whether there is any Hindu essence left in the new Varanasi or if it is just business. 00:00-3:25 - Varanasi & Hinduism In Crisis 3:25-5:50 CH1 Ramayana A Mythology? 5:50-13:03 Manikarnika Ripped Apart 13:03-18:43 The Art Of Renovation