'Make Madrasa Income Public First': UP Minister Hits Back Amid Ram Temple 'Missing Fund' Allegations

Published 19 June 2026 · local

'Make Madrasa Income Public First': UP Minister Hits Back Amid Ram Temple 'Missing Fund' Allegations Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 17:44 IST Uttar

'Make Madrasa Income Public First': UP Minister Hits Back Amid Ram Temple 'Missing Fund' Allegations Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 17:44 IST Uttar Pradesh Minister Ravindra Jaiswal rejects Ram temple donation embezzlement claims, urges scrutiny of madrasa finances as SIT probes alleged fund misappropriation. UP Minister Ravindra Jaiswal demands disclosure of madrasa funds amid Ram Temple Fund row. (Image: PTI) Uttar Pradesh Minister Ravindra Jaiswal on Friday hit back at those alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying that the finances of madrasas across the country should be made public before raising questions about temple offerings. Commenting on the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of funds from the temple’s donation boxes, Jaiswal said, “The SIT investigation is a separate matter. Today we want to ask- what do you know about the offerings made at Jama Masjid?" “The income of all madrasas in the country should first be made public.

If you do not disclose or question the income of madrasas, then you have no right to ask questions," he told reporters. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Minister Ravindra Jaiswal, on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft controversy, says, “The SIT investigation is a separate matter. Today we want to ask- what do you know about the offerings made at Jama Masjid? The income of all madrasas in the country… pic.twitter.com/E2LVkRWxPJ— IANS (@ians_india) June 19, 2026 SIT Probes Alleged Theft His remarks came as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government continues its probe into allegations of misappropriation of donation money at the Ram temple. The SIT was formed on June 13 following a request from the temple trust. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed confidence that the probe would uncover the truth and urged people not to make baseless comments that could hurt devotees’ sentiments.

“I appeal to all devotees of Lord Ram regarding the news reports concerning Ayodhya. At the trust’s request, we have ordered an SIT investigation, and I assure you that this probe will bring the absolute truth to light. There is no doubt about that," Adityanath said in Ayodhya. The controversy erupted after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on June 7, cited reports alleging that crores of rupees from donations offered at the temple were missing and urged courts to take cognisance of the matter. The allegations have since triggered a political tussle between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with the SIT investigation underway. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk.