AAP to launch nationwide signature campaign seeking strict punishment for Ram temple donations theft 'culprits'

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced a nationwide signature campaign seeking strict punishment for the culprits in the alleged Ram temple donation theft case, saying people across the country who were hurt by the controversy will be invited to participate. Kejriwal said the campaign will be launched after a 'Sundar Kaand' recital at Japanese Park, Rohini, Delhi, on Sunday where participants will seek the blessings of Bhagwan Hanuman before starting the signature drive. "It is the duty of every Sanatan follower to ensure strict punishment for those responsible for donations theft at the Ram temple. We will launch a signature campaign in which every citizen will sign a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating their appeal," Kejriwal said. He said the campaign was not limited to the Aam Aadmi Party and would involve people of faith across the country. "Wherever there are bhakts of Bhagwan Ram and people of faith who are hurt by these developments, they will all participate," he said. Kejriwal said the letters, written by ordinary citizens and addressed to the prime minister, would be collected through a door-to-door campaign and later sent to Modi. He added that thousands of Hanuman Chalisa recitations would also be organised across Delhi and other places as part of the campaign. "The Modi government is trying to save the people responsible for donation theft at the Ram temple. People must come together against this," Kejriwal said, appealing to people to participate in large numbers. The AAP chief claimed that those responsible for the alleged irregularities would be punished if people raised their voice after seeking blessings of Bhagwan Hanuman. "It is the duty and dharma of every Sanatani to make every possible effort to ensure that those who committed this 'mahapaap' at the home of Bhagwan Ram are brought to justice," he said. The remarks came amid opposition demands for a judicial probe into alleged financial irregularities in the management of Ram temple donations. The controversy erupted on June 7 after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir, a charge rejected by then temple trust general secretary Champat Rai, who said that "nothing noteworthy came to light during the ongoing internal audit". Based on a preliminary report submitted by an SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, eight people associated with counting cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram temple were arrested. Rai later resigned as general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. PTI SSM SHB SHB MDO MDO