President of Kedarnath temple committee rubbishes allegations of gold theft, calls it controversy

Ajendra Ajay, president of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, refuted allegations by Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath. The Swami has created a buzz on the internet claiming that 228 kilograms of gold were missing from the Kedarnath Temple.

What did the President say?

According to media reports, Ajay downplayed the spiritual leader's comments, calling them "unfortunate" and suggesting they served a political agenda. "Swami Avimukteshwaranand has a history of making controversial statements to gain media attention. " He urged the Swami to "stop tarnishing the dignity of the Kedarnath Temple."

Claims of Shankaracharya

Swami Avimukteshwaranand linked his gold theft claim to his opposition to a new temple being built in Delhi, calling it a "scam" tactic. He demanded an investigation into the alleged missing gold but offered no evidence to support his claim while swinging a bat of words in the air.

What is the evidence?

Ajay challenged Swami to present any evidence he possesses through legal channels. The president has asked Swami to approach the high court or Supreme Court to file a PIL (public interest litigation) if he has valid proof supporting the occurrence of the incident. Plains words have never taken anyone anywhere and no one considers them important, he said.

The root of the controversy

This controversy follows Swami Avimukteshwaranand's earlier disapproval of the symbolic Kedarnath temple planned for Delhi. He argued that replicating the sacred Jyotirlinga goes against religious scriptures and is politically motivated.

The foundation-laying ceremony for the New Delhi temple on July 10 sparked protests from priests in Uttarakhand. The Kedarnath temple is one of the four revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus, alongside Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.