The Indian National Congress has accused serious irregularities in the donation system of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and called for a Supreme Court‑monitored judicial probe, stating that the issue undermines devotees' trust.
Key Takeaways
- Congress seeks a Supreme Court‑monitored investigation into alleged donation irregularities at Ayodhya's Ram Temple.
- The party argues the case is not merely financial but a breach of devotees' faith.
- It calls for dissolving the current trust and replacing it with a transparent, accountable body.
Jaipur – On Saturday, the Indian National Congress alleged serious irregularities in the donation‑collection system of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded a Supreme Court‑monitored judicial probe. Party spokesperson Ajay Upadhyay described the episode as “loot in the name of faith,” emphasizing that the controversy goes beyond financial mis‑management to a profound betrayal of millions of devotees.
Congress' Official Statement
Upadhyay asserted, “Funds collected in the name of Lord Ram have become a source of political loot by the BJP‑RSS.” He highlighted the resignations of Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and trustee Anil Mishra as evidence of systemic opacity. “If everything were fine, why would senior officials step down? Why fear a Supreme Court‑supervised probe?” the party asked.
Background of the Ongoing Inquiry
The controversy erupted on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of temple donations. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three‑member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT’s preliminary report led to the arrest of eight individuals involved in counting cash and valuables received as donations. While the then‑trust general secretary initially claimed “no significant irregularities” during an internal audit, public pressure forced his resignation.
Congress' Demands
Congress is calling for the dissolution of the existing trust and the creation of a new, fully transparent body. It also pressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the issue, stating, “The nation deserves to know why the Prime Minister remains mute while devotees’ faith is at stake.” The party reiterated that “Lord Ram does not belong to any political party; he is a symbol of faith for crores of Indians.”
If the Supreme Court accords the request, it could set a precedent for financial accountability in India’s most sensitive religious institutions, potentially curbing future mis‑appropriation and restoring public confidence.
