The Indian National Congress today alleged large-scale financial irregularities involving donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, an issue that has generated widespread public debate across the country.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, Rajya Sabha member Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that massive irregularities had taken place in the utilisation and management of donations contributed by devotees for the construction of the Ram Temple.
Dr. Singh raised three key questions before the BJP government and the Prime Minister. He asked that since the Trust was constituted under the supervision of the Prime Minister himself, who would take responsibility for such a major scandal. He further questioned why resignation letters had been obtained from Champat Rai and Anil Mishra if everything was in order, and why the government was reluctant to order an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court if no wrongdoing had taken place.
The Rajya Sabha MP said that although Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently visited Ayodhya, neither the state government nor the BJP had offered any satisfactory explanation regarding the alleged scam. He alleged that the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government had exposed several serious discrepancies. According to him, the entire Trust had now come under suspicion, yet action had been taken only against lower-level employees, while senior functionaries such as Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, Govind Dev Giri and Gopal Rao had been shielded. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as the continued silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
The Congress party placed five major demands before the government.
Firstly, it demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should address the nation and explain the role of the Prime Minister’s Office in constituting the Trust, appointing its senior office-bearers and overseeing its administration, besides explaining why he has remained silent despite such serious allegations.
Secondly, the party demanded the immediate registration of FIRs and the arrest of all influential persons allegedly involved in the scam, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra.
Thirdly, Congress demanded an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court to uncover the truth behind the entire episode.
Fourthly, the party called for the immediate dissolution of the existing Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the constitution of a new transparent and accountable Trust comprising respected religious leaders, eminent citizens, administrative experts and independent members.
Fifthly, Congress demanded an independent forensic audit of all donations, contributions, land acquisitions, expenditure and financial transactions related to the Ram Temple, with the audit report being made public.
Dr. Singh said that he had earlier stated in Parliament that “Congress worships Lord Ram, whereas the BJP merely conducts business in the name of Lord Ram.” He alleged that the present controversy had demonstrated that even the donations made by devotees in the name of faith had been misused for financial gain.
