Kedarnath: Faith met frustration at the sacred Kedarnath Temple as ordinary pilgrims alleged VIP favouritism, turning a moment of devotion into one of anguish.
The flashpoint came when devotees claimed that Hemant Divedi personally intervened to ensure a smooth, queue-free darshan for industrialist Gautam Adani and his wife Priti Adani, who reportedly flew in via helicopter to mark 40 years of marriage.
He has been doing it for many VIPs to please them. "We welcome Adanis to shrine for darshan but the way Dwivedi is running the show is objectionable, protestors told local media.
For those waiting patiently in long queues at high altitude, the sight was hard to digest.
“We walk miles, stand for hours, and still get pushed back. But some land, walk in, and leave,” said an agitated pilgrim, echoing a sentiment that rippled through the crowd.
Pujaris supported Pilgrims alleging that the temple management presudent acted bigger than his boots and facilitated a VVIP entry, bypassing the सामान्य darshan line, triggering slogan-shouting and protests near the shrine.
Many demanded the immediate closure of VIP gates and insisted that all devotees be treated equally before Baba Kedarnath.
What has added to the hurt is the growing perception that such “chopper darshan” is no longer rare but is fast becoming a pattern—not just here, but even at Badrinath Temple.
While devotees acknowledged that high-security protectees like the President or Prime Minister may require special व्यवस्था for safety reasons, they questioned why similar privileges are being extended routinely to select VVIPs.
“There is a difference between security protocol and privilege. This looks like privilege,” another pilgrim remarked.
Allegations are also flying that certain influential visitors are able to land, get instant access, and exit without ever experiencing the discipline and patience expected of ordinary pilgrims—a practice that many say is eroding the spiritual ethos of these revered shrines.
The protest, though intense, remained peaceful, with police maintaining order. However, the emotional outpouring has struck a chord far beyond the temple परिसर, with videos circulating widely and reigniting debate over equality in places of faith.
For many, the question is simple yet piercing: Can there be VIPs in the eyes of the divine?
