Investigation Launched into Alleged Donations Mismanagement at Badrinath Temple
Allegations of Donation Mismanagement at Badrinath Temple
Following the recent controversies surrounding the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a significant issue has emerged regarding alleged misappropriation of donations at the renowned Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. In response to growing concerns on social media, the Uttarakhand government took decisive action on Saturday by establishing a three-member high-level inquiry committee led by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop.
Suspension of a Senior Employee
The controversy surfaced when accusations of discrepancies during the counting of donations at Badrinath Temple came to light. After the formation of a four-member team to investigate the alleged mismanagement of donations, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) suspended a senior employee following preliminary findings.
BKTC's Response to Allegations
BKTC, a statutory body responsible for managing Badrinath Temple and other pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, confirmed the suspension of Pramod Nautiyal, who served as a private secretary within the committee. Chairman Hemant Dwivedi stated that the committee maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and will take strict departmental and legal action against any employee found guilty during the investigation.
Government Inquiry Committee Formed
In parallel, the Uttarakhand government has also set up its own inquiry committee, with the Garhwal Division Commissioner as its chair. As per the directives of Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, this committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the government within 15 days.
Public Outcry and Demands for Investigation
The allegations gained traction on social media, prompting a group named 'Bhairav Sena' to file a complaint demanding an investigation and the filing of an FIR. Last week, BKTC had already formed a four-member panel, which includes Finance Controller Hem Kandpal and Legal Officer S.S. Bartwal, to begin the inquiry based on CCTV footage, employee statements, and other relevant documents. Questions have arisen regarding the replacement of CCTV cameras; however, BKTC's CEO clarified that this was part of a routine process, and all records from the previous DVR have been preserved for the investigation.
Political Reactions to the Allegations
In light of the allegations of donation mismanagement at Badrinath Temple, the Congress party has criticized the state government led by Pushkar Singh Dhami. Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal has called for a judicial inquiry or an investigation by a joint committee of the assembly into the matter.