Earlier yesterday, reports of Namaz being offered on Bakrid at one of the holiest sites of Hinduism, Badrinath, created quite a flutter on social media websites, with users demanding a probe into the matter as to how non-Hindus were allowed to offer Namaz inside the premises of a hallowed Hindu shrine.

What was the controversy about?

The controversy that fuelled outrage on social media websites relates to rumours that claimed 15 labourers offered Namaz at the Badrinath Dham in the holy town on the occasion of the Bakri Eid on July 21 (Wednesday). Soon thereafter, the reports spread like wildfire on the internet, drawing flak from people on social media, who felt hurt that one of the foremost Hindu pilgrim shines was used by Muslims to offer namaz. The raging controversy also came to the notice of Hindu organisations and members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal even met Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum, raising objections to Muslims performing Namaz in the holy town of Hindus and demanding a probe into the same.

As the controversy swelled despite their clarification a day before, the Chamoli police yesterday shared a video clip in which the Superintendent of Police, Chamoli, Shri Yashwant Singh Chouhan stated that the police have not found any evidence to substantiate the claims which did the rounds on social media. Confirming that the Namaz was not read in a public place, Chouhan said: “Chamoli police request all of you, please do not share any misleading news without verifying the facts”.

Badrinath Dham is considered one of the holiest places in the Hindu religion. One of the 108 Divya Desams, the Badrinath temple is part of Char Dham also referred to as “the four abodes”, consisting of the pilgrimage circuit of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. It is also a part of the Chota Char Dham, comprising of the pilgrimage circuit of Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka and Puri. Badrinath temple was re-established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century as part of his mission to enliven Hinduism.

News Source : Prag News