Challenge Avimukteshwaranand To Show Proof For His Allegations: Badri-Kedar Temple Committee Chief's Sharp Response

Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee President Ajendra Ajay has accused Swami Avimukteshwaranand of sensationalism and stoking unnecessary controversies.

Ajendra Ajay's remarks come in response to Swami Avimukteshwaranand's allegations regarding alleged 'gold scam' in Kedarnath Dham.

Speaking to reporters on Monday (15 July), Swami Avimukteshwaranand alleged that there was a "gold scam in Kedarnath, why is that issue not raised?".

"228kgs of gold is missing from Kedarnath... No inquiry has started," he alleged.

Responding to the Swami's statement, Ajendra Ajay, President of BKTC, which manages the holy Himalyan shrines in Uttarakhand, said, "I respect Swami Avimukteshwaranand, but he keeps holding press conferences throughout the day," news agency ANI reported.

"Stoking controversy, creating sensationalism, and being in the news is a habit of Swami Avimukteshwaranand. His statement on gold missing in Kedarnath Dham is very unfortunate," he said.

Ajay challenged Swami Avimukteshwaranand to substantiate his claims with concrete evidence and to present it to the authorities for a thorough investigation.

"I urge him as well as challenge him to bring to light facts and evidence. He should go to authorities, present them the evidence, and demand an investigation," he stated.

He further suggested that if Swami Avimukteshwaranand lacks trust in the current authorities, he should approach higher judicial bodies.

"If he doesn't trust a capable authority, he should approach the Supreme Court, High Court, file a PIL and demand an investigation if he actually has evidence," Ajay said.

"Otherwise, he doesn't have the right to stoke an unnecessary controversy and harm the dignity of Kedarnath," he said.

Ajendra Ajay also hinted at a possible political motive behind Swami Avimukteshwaranand's actions. "If he is working to advance a Congress agenda, it is very unfortunate," he added.

Ajendra Ajay also hinted at a possible political motive behind Swami Avimukteshwaranand's actions.

"If he is working to advance a Congress agenda, it is very unfortunate," he added.

"I want to say that Swami Avimukteshwaranand should not issue such statements, and if he shows himself as a Saint, he should avoid spreading such misleading information," Ajay said.

Ajay alleged that Swami Avimukteshwaranand had earlier too given such contradictory statements during Ram Mandir pran pratishtha ceremony.

"He should not make such statements and should not follow the agenda of the Congress," Ajay added.

Ajay clarified that the gold plating of the garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) of Kedarnath Dham was done by a Mumbai-based donor, who completed the work through his jewellers, and that neither the BKTC nor the state government had any role in it.

He further added that such allegations also hurt the feelings of the Hindus who donate to the temples.

He also clarified that 23 kg of gold was used in gold plating of Kedarnath Dham and not 228 kg as claimed by Swami Avimukteshwaranand.

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