Ram Mandir, Badrinath Temple thefts: Seers urge for strict rules to maintain faith of devotees

Haridwar, July 8 (IANS) Amid the controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations made at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and Badrinath’s Shri Badrinath Temple, Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Jain monk Acharya Lokesh Muni on Wednesday urged for the implementation of strict rules so that such allegations are not repeated.

Speaking to IANS, Swami Chidanand Saraswati cautioned against the spread of rumours which “hurt people’s religious sentiments”.

“I would like to say that no one should spread such rumours. If there has been any mistake, there are proper channels to address it. People should go and discuss the matter through the appropriate means instead of coming directly to the media and misleading the public,” he said.

The Parmarth Niketan President added: “If rules are broken, they can be formed again but once faith is broken, it is very difficult to restore. It is a good step that the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi immediately constituted an inquiry committee. I have also come to know that the committee’s secretary Pramod Nautiya has been dismissed. This is a fast action taken by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government.”

Swami Chidanand Saraswati also urged for implementation of strict rules for temples, terming it “mandatory to sustain the faith of devotees”.

“SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) should be made and followed so that people are able to maintain their faith on temples,” he said.

Jain spiritual leader Acharya Lokesh Muni said that where there are large institutions, such incidents can happen but “it cannot be allowed to continue”.

“Our country has laws, the Constitution, and a proper system of governance. Wherever such an incident occurs at any place of faith, it should not be tolerated. Proper arrangements must be made to prevent such incidents, and if one has occurred, the stolen property or money should also be recovered and strict action should be taken against those guilty,” he told IANS.

The Jain spiritual leader also said: “Measures should be taken that such incidents are never repeated. Lord Ram is the soul of this country, so if thefts take place at the Ram Temple, it hurts the sentiments of devotees.”

Lokesh Muni expressed confidence that the stolen donations from Ram Temple will be recovered, guilty will be punished and that the government along with the Temple Trust will take measures to prevent repetition of such acts.

–IANS

cg/khz