By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 16 Jul: The proposed construction of a Kedarnath temple in Burari, Delhi, has been turned into a major political controversy by the Opposition which is now accusing the Pushkar Singh Dhami Government of diluting the sanctity of Kedarnath Dham by allowing construction of another temple with the same name.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh had laid the foundation stone of this proposed temple in Delhi some days ago. Though the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and the government have denied any involvement in the construction of the temple, the issue continues to be raised strongly by the Congress leaders. In order to clear the air in this regard, Founder and National President of Kedarnath Dhami Delhi Trust, Surendra Rautela today held a press conference in Dehradun. Surendra Rautela stressed said that it is not Kedarnath Dham but a Kedarnath temple which is being constructed in Delhi. Despite this, some people are trying to make it an issue.
Surendra Rautela said that a Kedarnath temple is being constructed in Delhi, the name of which is being opposed. In view of the protests and objections raised by some, the Trust is willing to remove the word from its name. He however also reminded that temples related to all the Jyotirlingas across the country are built in several places and no one has ever objected. In such a situation, the word Dham will be removed from the name of the trust.
Rautela also reminded that a temple has also been built in the past in Mumbai in the name of Badrinath Dham and during its construction no political party or leader nor any Teerth Purohit had objected or protested. He further reminded that there is a Kedhareshwar temple dedicated to Shiva in Patan in Gujarat and there is a place in Jammu & Kashmir known as Kedarnath.
Rautela also emphasised that the tradition of building temples has been going on since ancient times and it is a virtuous act. Building a temple in the name of any Jyotirlinga is not wrong in faith. In ancient times, the rulers of the state used to establish temples and shrines on the mountains, on the banks of rivers, in forests, on the last borders of the country and there was nothing wrong in doing so. He claimed that he is an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and with His blessings, he will build a Kedarnath temple in Delhi, but Baba Kedarnath’s Dham will remain in Uttarakhand only. He also prayed that Lord Shankar grant wisdom to those who are protesting against the construction of the temple in Delhi.
Rautela also reminded the media that he too hails from Uttarakhand. In such a situation, if anyone is hurt by any of his words or if anyone feels that something wrong has happened, he is ready to apologise and take everyone along. He also claimed that there is no personal agenda in constructing the Kedatnath temple in Delhi. Had there been a personal benefit involved, he would have opened some other trade or shop somewhere else to make money, but it is a matter of faith and this is the sole reason behind the idea of constructing the temple in Delhi.
Rautela said that the Trust has no objection to the name change and he again reiterated that the state government has no involvement in the temple to be constructed in Delhi. He added that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is a protector of religion, so he was invited to the programme of laying the foundation stone of the temple as the chief guest, otherwise he has nothing to do with the temple trust.
He also said that may Lord Kedar grant wisdom to those who are protesting against Kedarnath temple in Delhi.
