Mathura Temple Embattled in Financial Scams After Ayodhya; Priest Accuses Management of Embezzlement as Both Sides Seek Probes.

LUCKNOW: Following the high-profile financial discrepancies reported at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, a massive corruption row has now engulfed another premier pilgrimage destination in Uttar Pradesh—the historic Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura. The administrative atmosphere at the temple has turned highly volatile as the chief priest and the temple management board have leveled direct criminal allegations of financial fraud against each other. Chief priest Dinesh Maharaj publicly announced that the management committee is systematically embezzling institutional funds and formally demanded a comprehensive probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Refuting the allegations, the temple management launched a counter-offensive by writing an emergency petition to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding an immediate criminal investigation against the priest. The management alleged that under the cover of collecting money for temple offerings (Prasadam) and special ritualistic services (Pujas), a massive financial fraud was executed directly by the priest’s office. Mirroring the state’s intervention in Ayodhya—where a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to dissect structural anomalies—the Mathura management has requested the state home department to institute a similar high-level SIT probe to clean up the administration.

The open rebellion between the core administrative wings has triggered immense concern among millions of Hindu devotees across the country. While the chief priest remains resolute on his demand for an independent federal inquiry by the CBI, the management board is aggressively lobbying for a state-controlled investigation. With both factions exchanging heavy corruption briefs, the regional administration faces intense pressure, and the Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet is expected to issue a formal directive on the internal audit of the landmark shrine shortly.

ലഘു വിവരണം

അയോധ്യ രാമക്ഷേത്രത്തിന് പിന്നാലെ ഉത്തർപ്രദേശിലെ മഥുര ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലും വൻ സാമ്പത്തിക ക്രമക്കേട് ആരോപണങ്ങൾ ഉയരുന്നു. ക്ഷേത്ര ഫണ്ടുകൾ മാനേജ്മെന്റ് വെട്ടിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് ആരോപിച്ച് പൂജാരി ദിനേശ് മഹാരാജ് സിബിഐ അന്വേഷണം ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു. എന്നാൽ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ പൂജകളുടെയും നിവേദ്യങ്ങളുടെയും മറവിൽ പൂജാരിയാണ് അഴിമതി നടത്തിയതെന്ന് ആരോപിച്ച് മാനേജ്മെന്റ് മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി യോഗി ആദിത്യനാഥിന് കത്തയച്ചു. അയോധ്യ മാതൃകയിൽ പ്രത്യേക അന്വേഷണ സംഘം (SIT) വേണമെന്നാണ് മാനേജ്മെന്റിന്റെ ആവശ്യം.

(With inputs from MN)

For more details: Navamalayalam.com