Dehradun: Uttarakhand Congress is all set to resume “Kedarnath Pratishtha Raksha Yatra” in the first week of September over the proposed construction of Kedarnath replica in Delhi and alleged embezzlement in gold plating inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath shrine. Congress also alleges BJP to take U-turn on Kedarnath replica under pressure.
Congress started this yatra on 24 July
In the protest against proposed construction of Kedarnath temple replica in Delhi’s Burari area, Uttarakhand Congress has commenced “Kedarnath Pratishtha Raksha Yatra” on 24 July which was suspended due to the cloudburst incident in Kedarnath valley on 31 July. Congress leaders were just 30 km away from Kedarnath shrine when heavy rains and triggered landslides had damaged the trek route at several places. Subsequently, Congress was left with no option except suspending this yatra.
Congress’s demand to transfer the money collected for replica construction
Few days ago, the trust under which the Kedarnath replica was proposed to be constructed withdrew its decision to respect the religious sentiments of the people. Afterwards, Congress has demanded that the money collected for the replica should be transferred to Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) and the Shila (stone) taken to Delhi for the foundation laying ceremony be returned to Kedarnath shrine area.
Congress to resume this yatra in first week of September
Congress is set to resume this yatra in the first week of September and Congress state vice president Suryakant Dhasmana has given this information while holding a press conference in Dehradun. According to Dhasmana, “Congress had postponed its further journey due to the disaster in Kedar valley but as soon as the situation becomes normal, the party will resume this yatra which is meant to highlight the embezzlement issue in gold plating in Kedarnath shrine.”
State government is on back foot due to Congress’s yatra
Congress also claims that the proposed construction of Kedarnath replica is cancelled due to the pressure created by Congress’s yatra and public sentiments. Dhasmana said, “Government is on back foot and took U-turn in the process of Kedarnath replica construction due to a yatra organised by Congress.” He also said that CM Dhami’s participation in the Praan Pratishtha of the temple is the most regrettable thing. After this, donations were started to be collected in the name of the temple trust.”
A law was formed to stop the misuse of Char Dham shrine names
On this issue, BJP said that the party has taken prompt steps to stop the misuse of the names of revered Char Dham shrines situated in Uttarakhand. BJP’s state media in-charge, Manvir Singh Chauhan said that the state government has decided to frame a law so that no individual or organisation can misuse the name of Char Dham shrines along with other religious centres in the state. Moreover, regarding embezzlement in gold plating in Kedarnath, BKTC officials and seers have already cleared their stand that no such irregularity has taken place in this matter.