Haridwar's Mansa Devi Temple introduces pocketless dress for priests amid Ram temple donation theft row

In what is being termed as a bizarre idea to stop donation theft in the temple, the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar has implemented a new dress code according to which the priests will be required to wear pocketless attire. This comes amid nationwide concerns regarding donation management at religious institutions. Mansa Devi Temple Trust Chairman Ravindra Puri welcomed the new dress code, stating that all priests and staff members have since adhered to the requirement of wearing pocketless attire. A nationwide row has erupted over allegations of financial irregularities and theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Similar cases were reported from Bandrinath Temple Shrine, Sabrimala Temple in Kerala and Ambaji Temple in Gujarat.

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"When I arrived at the temple and observed the priests and staff, I noticed that none of their kurtas had pockets. Those who are opposing us are trying to tarnish the reputation of the Mansa Devi Temple... I would never seek to defame them... However, this situation compelled me to decide that our priests should wear attires without pockets while on duty... I have installed sixty-five cameras; anyone caught on camera engaging in wrongdoing will not be spared... We agreed that offerings made by devotees should go to the temple rather than directly to the priests; all the priests have accepted this arrangement..." Puri told news agency ANI.

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What is Badrinath Temple donation theft?

The Badrinath Temple donation theft is about the alleged irregularities detected during the counting of cash offerings made by devotees at the Badrinath temple on July 2. A preliminary inquiry allegedly found that cash was removed from the counting area in violation of established procedures. The FIR in the case was registered at Badrinath Police Station following a complaint by BKTC In-charge Temple Officer Yudhvir Pushpwan, whose statement was also recorded by the SIT. Additionally, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has seized key digital evidence from the temple premises. Speaking to ANI, SIT Officer Mahadev Uniyal confirmed that the police have taken control of the surveillance records to identify irregularities in the handling of temple offerings.