Uttarakhand Govt repealed the Govt take over of Char Dham and the 51 temples Victory to the agitation of temple priests

Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board dissolved

Editorial comments

  • This is a very good example showing that if Hindus oppose collectively and persistently, then the Government has to give in.
  • To relieve all the temples which are controlled by the Government, all the priests, religious organisations and devout Hindus all over the country should agitate collectively to oppose such control.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) – Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that Char Dham in the State (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri) and 51 temples under Government control are being relieved from that control. ‘Char Dham Devasthanam Board’ which was established after taking over the temples, is dissolved.

Former Chief Minister of the State Trivendra Singh Ravat had established the ‘Char Dham Devasthanam Board’ based on the model of the ‘Shrine Board’ in 2019. Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board Bill was passed then in the Assembly and some Acts too were formed after that. Since then, all priests associated with these Char Dham and 51 temples have been consistently opposing it; but the Government was refusing to repeal the Board. The Government argued that the Board will help in providing facilities to devotees visiting temples and in overall development.

When Trivendra Singh Rawat was substituted by Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, he had assured to dissolve the Board; but before he could have tried to do so, he had had to resign.

Thereafter Pushkar Singh Dhami assumed the Chief Minister’s post. At that time he announced to form a High-Level Committee and he did it under the leadership of ex-MP Manohar Kant Dhyani. Priests of Char Dham were incorporated into the committee. This committee had submitted its final report after having studied the matter very seriously. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh took the decision based on that report to repeal the Board.

Historical decision – Mahant Ravindra Puri, President, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad

The State Government has taken a historical decision of repealing the Devasthanam Board. Therefore, sages along with the priests of those temples are very happy, expressed Mahant Ravindra Puri, President Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad.

Reactions of the priests –

  • It is the victory of Satya (Truth), Sanatan and Parampara (Traditions). I am thankful to the Government. – Raval Harish Semwal, President Shri Panch Gangotri Mandir Samiti
  • Law should not guard Dharma. When such a thing happens, Dharma suffers. He who protects Dharma will survive. – Suresh Semwal, Chairman, Shri Gangotri Mandir Samiti
  • Finally, the Government agreed that priests were fighting the battle of truth and hence the truth prevailed. The Government supported the truth. –Krushna Kant Kothiyal, President, Char Dham Tirthpurohit Hak Hakukdhari Mahapanchayat
  • This decision should have been taken earlier, but because of the stubbornness of some in power took 2 years. –Ashok Todariya, Treasurer, Badrish Panda Panchayat