CM Dhami Addresses Misuse of Kedarnath Name in Virtual Meeting

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually addressed concerns over the misuse of Kedarnath Dham's name. A proposal aimed at preventing the misuse has been introduced in the cabinet. Following a controversy over a new temple in Delhi, Dhami reaffirmed Kedarnath's unique significance and condemned any alternative representations.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday virtually addressed the public at the Jan Milan program in Agastyamuni, Rudraprayag from the CM's Camp Office in Dehradun. Dhami asserted that no one would be able to misuse the name of Kedarnath Dham, adding that a proposal aimed at preventing such misuse has been placed before the cabinet.

"No one will be able to misuse the name Kedarnath Dham. A proposal has been introduced in the cabinet and a unanimous decision has been taken to prevent any misuse of the name Kedarnath Dham or any other dham," Dhami stated. He further mentioned that the temple under construction in Delhi has been instructed to refrain from using the Kedarnath Dham name.

The controversy began on July 16, when Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, criticized the construction of a Kedarnath temple in Delhi, labeling it an economic rather than a spiritual center. He condemned the Kedarnath Trust of Delhi's provisions for refunding and transferring memberships and emphasized that an alternative to Kedarnath Dham is not acceptable. He pointed out that according to sacred texts, Kedarnath must remain in the Himalayas.

(With inputs from agencies.)