Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit, Uttarakhand CM Dhami Visits Kedarnath To Pacify Protesting Priests

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the holy Himalayan shrine of Shri Kedarnath on Friday (5 November), Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday (3 November) visited the temple to pacify the protesting priests, reports Indian Express.

The priests of Char Dham - Shri Kedarnath, Shri Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - have been opposing the Devasthanam Board Act, enacted during Trivendra Singh Rawat's tenure as CM.

Under the law, 51 temples associated with the four shrines are governed by the Devasthanam Board, formed through a legislation two years ago.

The Uttarakhand CM also reviewed preparations at the temple town before PM Modi's visit. He was accompanied by state ministers Harak Singh Rawat and Subodh Uniyal.

Earlier on Monday (1 November), former state CM Trivendra Singh Rawat faced protests from priests in Kedarnath, who showed him black flags and raised slogans against him.

“I was received by the priests and they accompanied me for darshan. I also had a discussion with them and we resolved the matter. Today, the CM visited and assured that by 30 November the issue will be resolved. A decision will be taken by 30 November,” state minister Uniyal was quoted in the report as saying.

Uniyal further added that the state government is "completely" with the purohits and priests and " their well-being will always be ensured".