Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], July 11 (ANI): Amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in donations at the Badrinath Dham, a priest said the allegations have tarnished the shrine’s image and called for a fair inquiry to establish the truth.
Refraining from commenting on the veracity of the claims, he said such incidents had never been witnessed in the temple’s history and expressed confidence that the temple committee and administration would uncover the facts, while urging that the issue not be politicised.
Speaking to ANI, expressing deep concern over the impact of these allegations on the reputation of the sacred shrine, the priest emphasised that such claims are unprecedented in the history of the temple.
“Whether this allegation is true or false–I will not comment on that. The fact that such allegations have been made is deeply unfortunate; the Dham has suffered damage because of this,” the priest stated.
He further underscored his long-standing association with the temple, noting that he has never heard of any such financial misconduct from his predecessors. “Never in the past, neither from my father nor my grandfather, did I hear of such a scam, nor have I ever witnessed anything of the sort myself,” he asserted.
Highlighting the transparency measures already in place, the priest pointed to the robust surveillance system monitoring the temple premises. “There are 32 cameras installed here. I do not believe such a scam has ever occurred in the past, nor is there any likelihood of it happening now,” he added.
Addressing the need for a fair investigation, the priest expressed full confidence in the temple committee and the local administration to handle the matter transparently. “If such a thing has indeed occurred, I am confident the temple committee and the administration can and will resolve it; the truth must be fully revealed,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the priest issued a stern warning against turning the matter into a political tool. “Let there be absolutely no politics involved here,” he urged, stressing that the focus should remain on maintaining the sanctity and dignity of the Badrinath Dham.
Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the Badrinath Dham, authorities have confirmed that the probe is currently active.
Speaking to ANI on the status of the case, Uttarkashi Station Officer Inspector Mahadev Uniyal stated, “The investigation is currently underway; no comments. It (CCTV footage) is currently being reviewed. I will let you know once there are updates.”
The inquiry follows recent concerns regarding potential financial misconduct at the sacred shrine, which have sparked public debate. Local administration and police officials are currently examining available evidence to determine the veracity of the claims, with the review of surveillance recordings being a key component of the ongoing process.
Earlier on July 10, the Uttarakhand Government constituted a three-member high-level committee on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of Badrinath Dham Temple donations. (ANI)
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