PaperDabba News Desk: July 16, 2024
In a recent incident that has stirred significant controversy, a self-proclaimed baba has provoked local outrage by constructing an unauthorized temple in Uttarakhand. The temple, located near a sacred lake at an elevation of 16,500 feet, has been built by Baba Chaitanya Akash, also known as Aditya Kailash, on government land near the Sundardhunga Glacier in Bageshwar district.
Baba Claims Divine Instructions
According to police reports, Baba Chaitanya Akash claimed he received divine instructions to build the temple in this environmentally sensitive area. Initially, no one came forward to assist him in this endeavor. However, convinced by his assertions of divine guidance, a few locals eventually supported him in constructing the temple with wood and stones.
Illegal Construction and Environmental Concerns
The templtemple’stion near the holy Devikund Lake has heightened the controversy. The locals consider this area highly sacred, and any disturbance to its sanctity is seen as a grave offense. Over the past 10-12 days, Baba Chaitanya Akash has been residing in the temple, further aggravating the situation by bathing in the holy Devikund lake, an act that many locals found deeply disrespectful.
Police Investigation Underway
Residents, angered by these actions, filed a complaint with the police. The police have registered a case and are currently investigating the matter. The unauthorized construction on government land and the baba’baba’s uptime activities have raised serious concerns about preserving the area’s social and cultural sanctity.
This incident highlights the tensions between spiritual claims and environmental conservation, raising important questions about the responsibilities of self-proclaimed religious figures and the protection of sacred sites.
