Bhopal, July 8 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities and unauthorised collection of devotees’ donations at the renowned Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, triggering a political row between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.

The Agar-Malwa Collector, through an order issued on Tuesday, constituted a three-member inquiry committee after receiving complaints alleging that a non-governmental committee was collecting donations separately from the officially recognised temple management committee.

The complaints alleged that cash, gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables donated by devotees were being collected through a parallel system and deposited into private bank accounts.

“The allegations regarding collection of donations through a non-governmental committee, use of private bank accounts and financial irregularities are serious in nature. Therefore, an impartial and detailed inquiry is necessary,” the Collector said in the order.

The committee will be headed by V.S. Chaubey, Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat, Agar-Malwa. District Treasury Officer Manish Chaubey and Nalkheda Chief Municipal Officer Mini Agrawal are the other members.

The committee has been directed to inspect the temple premises, examine records and bank accounts, verify donations received in cash and valuables, and find out whether any parallel system for collecting donations was operating.

It has also been asked to examine the role of government officials, temple management representatives, or any other person in the alleged irregularities. The panel has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

The issue has also taken a political turn. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged that after controversies over the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and alleged land encroachment linked to the Mahakal Temple, similar allegations had now surfaced at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple.

He demanded a transparent inquiry and said the BJP government should ensure proper accounting of devotees’ donations and take strict action against those found guilty.

Madhya Pradesh Minister for Religious Trusts and Endowments Dharmendra Lodhi told IANS on Wednesday that the alleged irregularities at the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda were committed by individuals who were not part of the temple management committee.

“People outside the temple committee carried out the irregularities. Our government will not spare anyone found guilty. The inquiry is underway, and strict action will be taken against all those responsible at the earliest,” Lodhi told IANS.

Located in Agar-Malwa district, the Maa Baglamukhi Temple is one of the country’s most prominent shrines dedicated to Goddess Baglamukhi, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu tradition.

Thousands of devotees from across the country visit the temple every year, especially during Navratri and other religious occasions, making the administration’s inquiry significant from the perspective of transparency and public trust in the management of devotees’ offerings.

–IANS

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