Himachal Congress MLA accuses BJP ex-minister of forcibly taking over Sakraini Mata Temple in Mandi

After Chander Shekhar’s allegations, Mahender Thakur says shrine built by his great-grandfather

MANDI: What started as a small dispute over religious rights at the revered Sakraini Mata Temple in Dharampur subdivision of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has now escalated into a full-blown political and social controversy.

While the temple has long stood as a pillar of faith for lakhs in the region, it has now become a battleground for trading of allegations, ancestral claims and political posturing.
In a dramatic turn, Congress MLA from Dharampur Chander Shekhar, who had thus far remained silent, has taken to Facebook to openly criticise what he termed as “political takeover of faith”.

His comments are being seen as a direct rebuke to former BJP MLA and ex-minister Mahender Singh Thakur and his family, who are at the centre of a storm surrounding the temple’s management.

MLA Chander Shekhar’s statement fuels debate

Posting from his official Facebook handle, Chander Shekhar wrote: “Deities and their caretakers (pujaris) never view anyone through a political lens. It is only the devotees whose intentions determine how they perceive the divine. If such petty motives were indeed part of divine institutions, then those claiming to be temple owners would not be so desperate and fearful. They would not deploy their IT cells and loyal media houses to humiliate ordinary citizens, especially not those entrusted with sacred responsibilities like the priests.”

Without naming anyone, the MLA accused Mahender Singh camp of attempting to monopolise temple control, questioning the legitimacy of those who claim sole ownership over structures built on public faith.

“Besides the official donation boxes, devotees often offer their respect to the priests as well, placing token of faith on their ritual thalis. These traditional offerings have always belonged to the priests. When the divine is silently witnessing all this unfold, who are we to play judges of right and wrong? In challenging the rights of the priests, we risk challenging divine order itself,” wrote Chander Shekhar.

Controversy first erupted on March 30

The controversy first erupted on March 30 when a video of former minister Mahender Singh Thakur went viral.
In the footage, Mahender Thakur was seen allegedly removing a woman belonging to the priests’ family from the temple premises on the first day of Navratri. He later accused the priest community of embezzling temple funds.

His son Rajat Thakur supported the claim by posting CCTV footage from inside the temple and went further to allege that the priests were being encouraged by “external influencers” like Chander Shekhar.

Priests demand restoration of ancestral rights

The family of priests, who had temporarily stayed away from temple rituals due to a bereavement, returned on Friday to assert their ancestral claim over temple duties.

Head priest Bheem Singh Sharma accused Mahender Singh of forcibly taking over temple operations and sidelining the hereditary caretakers. He alleged that a new committee was formed under the minister’s influence, diverting temple offerings and funds away from their rightful channels.

“We have been serving here for generations. This is not a political post to be won or lost, but a sacred duty,” he said.

Temple committee denies allegations

The temple committee has dismissed the allegations. Senior committee member Revta Ram stated that the temple was constructed by Mahender Singh’s great-grandfather after discovering the deity’s idol during an excavation.

“Priests were appointed and are paid monthly salaries. There’s no question of ancestral rights when the temple has been funded and built by one family,” he clai…

Munish Sood