New Delhi, July 19: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple, saying lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith are feeling “betrayed by the theft”.
The opposition leaders in both houses of Parliament said the prime minister’s silence on the issue was unacceptable, and urged him to ensure accountability and restitution.
“Our joint letter to PM Modi demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” Kharge said in a post on X on Sunday, while sharing the letter dated July 18.
The alleged theft of donations offered at the Ram temple surfaced in the first week of June and has so far led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of two senior functionaries from the Trust.
NDA hits back at Rahul, Kharge
The demand sparked sharp political reactions, with the ruling alliance accusing the Congress of attempting to politicise the issue. The Opposition, however, maintained that Gandhi and Kharge were merely discharging their constitutional responsibility as Opposition leaders by demanding accountability.
Responding to the development, Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised the Congress leadership, saying, “Look at the antics of Rahul Gandhi. Some time ago, he was saying himself that Ram Setu is fictional, and his party had submitted such an affidavit to the country’s Supreme Court in September 2007. He stated multiple times that Ram is fictional and that no Ram existed in the Treta Yug.”
“Now, suddenly, these people are remembering Ram, and that too by writing letters. So, these letters are nothing but a drama by Kharge Ji and him. If they truly had love for Lord Ram, they would have attended the Bhumi Pujan or the temple’s inauguration. An investigation is already underway regarding the unfortunate incident that occurred there; no one will be spared,” Kadam said.
Ram temple trust to meet on July 22
Amid the ongoing Ram temple donation embezzlement row, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold a second meeting this month, on July 22.
According to Trust general secretary Krishna Mohan, a special meeting has been scheduled at 3 pm in the Ram temple complex, followed by the regular Trust meeting at 4 pm at Maniram Chawni, the premises of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das.
Key accused questioned, taken to temple
The investigation into the theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir has entered a crucial phase, as the police intensively questioned key accused Ramshankar Yadav alias ‘Tinnu’ and his nephew Manish Yadav during their 39-hour custody remand.
Police had obtained a 39-hour remand from the court, following which both accused were taken into police custody at around 8 a.m. on Saturday. (Agencies)
