A shocking discovery has been made at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir regarding the silver offerings made by devotees. Officials found that a massive portion of the silver items donated out of faith and devotion were actually composed of hazardous materials. Upon melting down approximately 20 tons of silver gifts collected over several months at the government mint, it was revealed that only 5% to 6% of the total weight was genuine silver. The remaining 94% consisted of cheap and dangerous metals like cadmium and iron.
The findings have raised serious alarms, not just regarding the financial loss, but primarily due to the severe health risks involved. Cadmium is a highly toxic metal, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforces strict restrictions on its use in everyday items. Experts warned that the fumes released while melting cadmium-laced metals can severely damage the lungs and kidneys, and long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of cancer. In fact, workers at the mint initially refused to handle the items until they were provided with specialized safety equipment.
Investigations suggest that local vendors around the temple area are exploiting the innocence of devotees by selling silver umbrellas, coins, and jewelry that are actually made of these toxic alloys. This scam not only defrauds thousands of pilgrims but also poses a grave threat to the environment and the health of those handling the items. In light of this, the Shrine Board and local authorities have urged devotees to be cautious and purchase religious offerings only from official, authorized counters to ensure authenticity and safety.
