Following The Pioneer’s report on the nameplate of the suspended Rawal (chief priest) of Badrinath still remaining at the Rawal’s residence in Badrinath, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman Ganesh Godiyal has directed that the nameplate be removed without delay.The Pioneer had reported that though V Kesavan Namboodiri was suspended from the post of Badrinath’s Rawal early last year following alleged molestation of a woman and replaced by Ishwari Prasad Namboodiri as the Rawal, the Rawat’s official quarters in Badrinath still bear the nameplate of the suspended Rawal. This was causing confusion among the pilgrims arriving at Badrinath.
When this correspondent phoned the BKTC chief executive officer BD Singh on this issue he simply said, “If you have a problem with the nameplate, you can remove it yourself.” The attitude of the temple committee CEO might make one wonder whether the committee is serious about maintaining the image of the management. Considering that the nameplate of a former chief priest accused of molesting a woman is displayed outside the official residence of the Badrinath’s Rawal, the committee should itself have taken cognizance of this earlier before start of the Char Dham Yatra season. When this correspondent contacted the BKTC chairman Ganesh Godiyal,said that he was unaware of the nameplate issue. However, he stressed that the nameplate of the suspended Rawal would be removed immediately. He further informed that the case of V Kesavan Namboodiri was presently sub judice so he will remain the suspended Rawal till the case is closed. However, even if he is cleared of the charges by the court he will not be reinstated on the position of Badrinath’s chief priest, added Godiyal.