by Suman Gupta
Premanand Ji, who has spent years establishing himself as a ‘Mahant’ (spiritual head), now finds himself at the center of a serious controversy. Several startling allegations regarding his true identity and his rise to power have surfaced, creating an atmosphere of deep concern among both the temple administration and its devotees.
Some sources claim that Premanand Ji’s real name is Prem Prakash Rana, and that he is the brother of Om Prakash Rana—an influential figure in Uttarakhand popularly known as the ‘Theka King’ (Liquor Contract King).
According to the allegations, Prem Prakash Rana began his tenure at the temple as a cashier at the ‘Govinda’ restaurant located within the premises. Gradually, he consolidated his position and managed to infiltrate the administrative machinery.
The most serious aspect of the controversy emerges when examining the events that unfolded following the demise of the temple’s former spiritual head, Bhaktiyog Ji Maharaj. Some individuals allege that, during this critical period, a clandestine meeting was held late at night at Om Prakash Rana’s shop; key participants in this meeting are reported to have included a driver named Sunil, the temple manager Harsh, and Prem Prakash Rana himself.
When a direct takeover proved unfeasible, it is alleged that efforts were instead directed toward seizing control of the administration. To this end, it is alleged that measures were taken to sow confusion among the devotees and to manipulate the overall atmosphere within the temple.
Today, questions are being raised regarding Premanand Ji’s current status and influence: Was his rise a genuine spiritual ascent, or merely the outcome of a calculated strategy?
