Ram Mandir donation embezzlement sparks political storm as key trustees resign, eight remanded
New Delhi [India], June 26 (HBTV): The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir has triggered a major political confrontation, escalating on Friday with the resignation of two senior trustees and the judicial remand of eight individuals accused in the multi-lakh rupee scandal.
The controversy centres on allegations of systematic theft of devotees' offerings by temple staff and bank employees, prompting sharp exchanges between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition, which has demanded greater accountability.
In a significant development, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned, taking 'moral responsibility' for the controversy. The resignations followed the registration of an FIR on June 25 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) over the alleged misappropriation of donation funds.
A special court in Ayodhya on Friday remanded eight accused, including public servants and State Bank of India employees, to judicial custody until June 29. Authorities said INR 79.85 lakh was recovered from the accused, except one.
Opposition leaders seized upon the resignations to target the BJP, alleging a betrayal of the faith of millions of devotees.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the 'mask of the donation devotees has finally come off', alleging that the 'glittering empire of Lanka built on the arrogance of BJP loyalists' was facing divine retribution.
In a post on X, Yadav claimed the 'Danbhakto' (donation devotees) had been exposed through divine intervention.
'The BJP's Lanka episode will unfold right in Ayodhya. After all, the mask of the "donation devotees" has finally come off because the Lord's divine power has worked its miracle. Now, the glittering empire of Lanka built on the arrogance of BJP loyalists will also meet its end, and so will the "Lord of Lanka." For the BJP, the Amrit Kaal has turned into a dark age,' he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP over the resignations, he added, 'This government used to claim that no resignations happened under its rule. The public, hurt by the offering-donation theft, is now taking a dig, saying the BJP folks are claiming, "We said there'd be no resignation—we didn't resign; we submitted a letter of renunciation."'
Calling the developments 'just the beginning', Yadav alleged that those associated with the BJP and its affiliates would now expose one another.
'The BJP gang won't escape God's audit,' he said.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged that influential individuals involved in the theft were attempting to shield themselves, while AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the temple administration of withholding an official photograph of Kejriwal's recent visit.
'Crores of people have immense faith in Lord Ram, and this has deeply hurt their sentiments... The people who committed this theft, and those involved in this massive robbery, are unfortunately the very people who are supposed to take action. Obviously, they are not going to act against themselves. Instead, they are doing everything they can to protect themselves,' Kejriwal said during a press conference.
Sanjay Singh alleged that although the temple administration's official photographer had promised to provide Kejriwal's photograph after his visit, it had not been shared despite repeated requests.
'What petty politics is this, that now the donation-thief party has started stealing even the picture of Ram devotee Arvind Kejriwal?' he wrote on X.
Congress leader KC Venugopal demanded an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge, while CPI General Secretary D Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath must take responsibility for the alleged embezzlement.
In a post on X, Venugopal wrote, 'The self-proclaimed protectors of Hinduism have been completely exposed with the revelations of the theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.'
'The BJP-RSS looted from the donations of ordinary devotees and made a complete mockery of their sentiments. On the one hand, the BJP wants to control registered trusts through draconian FCRA rules, while completely unregistered entities like the RSS are free to loot and plunder the temples of our country,' he said.
Describing the trustees' resignations as 'the tip of the iceberg', Raja said, 'Modi and Yogi, both of them, should own up responsibility for what happened in Ayodhya, how the embezzlement took place and how the loot took place. It was nothing but the loot of donations given by ordinary people who believe in a certain faith, and this cannot be allowed. Whatever the UP government has done is not enough, and there should be a thorough probe.'
The BJP rejected allegations of politicisation and maintained that the law was taking its course impartially.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said those who had opposed the construction of the Ram Temple were now exploiting the issue for political gain. Addressing a public meeting in Deoria, he reiterated that the government would follow a 'zero-tolerance' policy against anyone attempting to undermine public faith.
'The government's intention is clear..., everything will come before everyone. But I will appeal once again: do not test Ram devotees, stop tampering with their faith. If there are no facts or evidence, then stop the accusations and counter-accusations, and if there is evidence, then present it before the SIT. The government is proceeding with the action as per the SIT's recommendations, and while the team of senior officials is working, stop making political statements about it,' he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said an impartial investigation was underway.
'An impartial investigation will be conducted. FIR has been registered. The government has said that action will be taken as per the law,' he told reporters.
Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP Vice President Neeraj Singh described the alleged embezzlement as 'certainly shameful' while commending the Chief Minister for ordering swift action.
'Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh also termed the matter "very serious" and said those found involved would not be spared.
Legal experts, including Advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain, called for systemic reforms to strengthen safeguards over temple assets while supporting a thorough investigation into the allegations. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar also stressed strengthening the temple administration rather than creating another committee.
The FIR was registered on June 25 at the Ram Janmabhoomi Police Station following a complaint by Krishanmohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. It alleges a criminal conspiracy involving temple staff responsible for counting and managing devotees' offerings and accuses them of systematic theft and misappropriation of donation funds.
As the SIT investigation progresses, the case has become a test of transparency in the administration of one of India's most significant religious institutions, even as the political confrontation continues. (ANI)