Dehradun: Ajendra Ajay, president of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, has accused the Congress of disseminating false information regarding the amount of gold used in the Kedarnath Temple. Ajay clarified that only 23 kg of gold, along with a 1,000 kg copper plate, was utilized, and he promised to release the jeweller's tax invoice as proof.

These remarks come in the wake of allegations of a gold scam within the Shiva temple. On July 15, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth, claimed that 228 kg of gold was missing from Kedarnath, suggesting a significant gold scam.

"We have maintained from the beginning that only 23 kg of gold was used in the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath, complemented by a 1,000 kg copper plate," Ajay stated. "However, certain Congress leaders are propagating the falsehood that 230 kg of gold was used, which is a conspiracy."

Ajay criticized the Congress for spreading these rumors ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Kedarnath, labeling the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. "With the Assembly by-elections approaching, the Congress is spreading such unfounded propaganda without any factual basis or evidence. These unfortunate and condemnable allegations are being made solely to create a sensation," he added.

Kedarnath is one of the four sacred Hindu shrines of the Char Dham, alongside Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

In response to allegations of a ₹1.25 billion scam related to the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum at Kedarnath temple, the Uttarakhand government formed a panel last month to investigate the matter. The state's tourism, religion, and culture minister, Satpal Maharaj, has directed Harichandra Semwal, the secretary of culture and religious affairs, to form a high-level inquiry committee.

This committee, chaired by the Garhwal commissioner, will include technical experts and goldsmiths to thoroughly investigate the matter.

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