Congress seeks SC-monitored probe into Ayodhya Ram temple donation row
The Congress on Saturday alleged serious irregularities in the donation collection system at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe
The Congress on Saturday alleged serious irregularities in the donation collection system at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe. Party spokesperson Ajay Upadhyay described it as a case of "loot in the name of faith". Addressing a press conference, Upadhyay said the issue was not only financial but also linked to the trust and sentiments of devotees. The remarks came amid the opposition's demand for a judicial inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in the temple's donation management system. Read Full Story Upadhyay said, "Funds collected in the name of Lord Ram have become a source of political loot by the BJP-RSS." He added, "This is not merely a financial scam, but a grave betrayal of the faith, trust and sentiments of crores of devotees." Seeking accountability, he said, "A trust was formed to oversee the temple affairs under the supervision of the prime minister.
Who will take responsibility for this alleged scam now?" The Congress leader also referred to the resignation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the wake of the alleged donation embezzlement case. "Had everything been fine, why did Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign? What is the reason to fear an independent probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court if nothing was wrong?" he asked. He claimed that questions were being raised over the financial transparency and management of donations and expenditure linked to the temple. "Allegations of fake receipts, cash offerings and other financial irregularities have come to the fore. Yet, action has been taken only against lower-level staff, which raises concern.
Accountability has not been fixed on the top officials of the temple trust," Upadhyay said. Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, he said, "The country wants to know why the prime minister is silent on the entire matter. We demand a judicial probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court so that the truth behind this loot in the name of faith comes out." The controversy began on June 7 after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir. The charge was rejected by then temple trust general secretary Champat Rai, who said, "Nothing noteworthy came to light during the ongoing internal audit". Based on the preliminary report of an SIT set up by the Uttar Pradesh government, eight people associated with counting cash and valuables received as donations at the temple were arrested.
The BriefWire