BILASPUR: The controversy surrounding the entry of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dharmpal Choudhary into the kitchen of the famous Shri Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh has taken a new turn. SDM Choudhary currently serves as the Chairman of the Shri Naina Devi Temple Trust.
The dispute began when Abhishek Sharma, a priest at the temple, lodged a written police complaint against the SDM, accusing him of violating religious traditions. According to the complaint, SDM Choudhary entered the temple kitchen while the ‘bhog’ (offering) for the goddess’s ‘aarti’ was being prepared. The complainant claimed that strict religious rules govern the kitchen, where entry is restricted, alleging that the SDM’s entry and handling of utensils rendered the sacred offering impure.
Refuting the allegations, SDM Dharmpal Choudhary stated that he visited the kitchen solely for an administrative inspection and had no intention of violating traditions. He clarified that no rituals were underway at the time of his visit, nor was any head priest present.
The matter escalated after Head Priest Prabhat Sharma released a video statement coming out in support of the official. Stating that he has been serving continuously as the head priest since August 17, 2026, and performs all five daily aartis, Sharma dismissed the allegations made by Pandit Abhishek Sharma on September 11, 2026, as false and baseless. He stated that he was present at the scene himself and that the entire incident was captured on CCTV.
According to the head priest, the SDM had merely instructed the cooks to wear hair caps. He added that Abhishek Sharma was not on duty at the time, which is why the SDM stopped him. Sharma asserted that the official did not break any religious traditions and accused Abhishek Sharma of framing false charges to tarnish the reputation of the temple trust and the administrator.
Head Priest Prabhat Sharma further revealed that Abhishek Sharma used casteist and offensive language against SDM Dharmpal Choudhary in his presence. Describing the behavior as highly condemnable, the head priest demanded strict legal action against those trying to defame the temple.
Taking a strong stance on the issue, Dalit leader and Gadar Front chief Ravi Kumar Dalit praised individuals from the general category for supporting the truth and urged the police administration to act immediately. He requested the Superintendent of Police, Bilaspur, to register a case under various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, against the complainant for making casteist remarks, record the head priest’s statement, and arrest the accused promptly.
