Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Varanasi Police Say Viral Temple Dance Video Was AI-Generated
A video spread online that appeared to show women dancing at a temple festival in Varanasi.
Some people criticized the dance and questioned what police officers were doing nearby.
Varanasi police said the video was made using artificial intelligence and was shared to damage the police department’s reputation.
Police said they would register a case about its circulation.
Temple-linked people said the dance was part of an old festival tradition.
Other critics said the performances were not a proper religious tradition and wanted an investigation.
The Samajwadi Party also criticized the BJP government over the video.
The video’s authenticity had not been independently verified before the police statement.
The festival was held from September 23 to 27.
Varanasi police said a viral video showing women allegedly performing a vulgar dance at the Lat Bhairav temple was AI-generated.
Police said the video was circulated to tarnish their image and announced that a case would be registered.
The video prompted criticism of police personnel allegedly seen watching or recording the performance while on duty.
Temple-linked people said the performance was part of the longstanding Baba Lat Bhairav Barat tradition involving nagar vadhus.
The five-day Baba Lat Bhairav Barat celebrations took place from September 23 to 27, with rituals marking the deity’s wedding to Goddess Bhairavi.
- Who
- Varanasi police, temple-linked people, political critics, and festival attendees were involved in the controversy.
- What
- A viral video purportedly showing a vulgar temple dance was disputed by police, who called it AI-generated.
- When
- Police issued their statement on Tuesday; the Baba Lat Bhairav Barat celebrations took place from September 23 to 27.
- Where
- The video was purportedly filmed at the Lat Bhairav temple complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Police said the video was circulated to tarnish their image, while critics questioned the performance and the conduct of police personnel allegedly shown nearby.
Critics and skeptics
Police and temple-linked supporters
Video authenticity
Critics and skeptics
Critics reacted to the video as if it showed a real performance and questioned the presence and conduct of police personnel; some demanded an impartial probe.
Police and temple-linked supporters
Varanasi police said the video was AI-generated and was being circulated to tarnish the police’s image.
Whether the dance was a tradition
Critics and skeptics
Sanatan Rakshak Dal president Ajay Sharma said the performances had only been introduced in recent years and called them inappropriate for a temple or religious event.
Police and temple-linked supporters
Temple-linked people said the dance was part of a longstanding tradition of Baba Lat Bhairav’s Barat and had continued for centuries.
Police conduct
Critics and skeptics
Critics alleged that officers appeared to be watching or recording the performance instead of focusing on crowd control and women’s security.
Police and temple-linked supporters
Police said that in mobile videos made by the crowd, police standing in the background was not visible on any screen.
- Police position
- Varanasi police said the video was AI-generated and intended to damage the police’s image.
- Planned action
- Police said they would register a case over circulation of the misleading video.
- Festival
- Baba Lat Bhairav Barat is a five-day celebration marking the divine wedding of Baba Lat Bhairav and Goddess Bhairavi.
- Festival dates
- The celebrations were held from September 23 to 27.
- Reported tradition
- Temple authorities said performances by nagar vadhus were traditionally associated with the festival.
- Political reaction
- The Samajwadi Party media cell criticized the BJP government over the purported video.
- Earlier verification
- The video’s authenticity had not been independently verified before the police statement.