Congress, SP slam UP Assembly speaker over remarks on Ram temple donation 'theft'

Lucknow, Jul 15 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has triggered a controversy by saying the offerings of only those were stolen at the Ayodhya Ram temple who "may not have donated with true devotion", drawing backlash from the opposition. Mahana promptly clarified that his remarks were aimed at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for seeking a return of his donation to the Ram temple. However, it did not prevent the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) from training guns at the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. The controversy erupted after Mahana, referring to Singh's recent demand for a return of the donations made to the Ram temple in view of the alleged theft of offerings, purportedly said in a video aired by a news portal that those seeking their money back may not have donated with "true" devotion. "Offerings made by us were not stolen because we can see it in the form of the grand Ram temple standing in Ayodhya," Mahana said even as the Congress went after him. The speaker also argued that this is not the first time that a theft has taken place in the country and that those responsible for it are being brought to justice. "According to Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, those whose donations were stolen from the Ram temple did not donate with 'true devotion'. That means there is no failure of the government, the fault lies with the intentions of the devotees," the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress said in a post on X. The opposition party also asked if the BJP government would now "audit people's faith". "Criminals are emboldened in Uttar Pradesh, while those in power are offering such bizarre arguments," it said. The media cell of the SP also slammed Mahana's remarks, calling them "highly shameful and condemnable". "Satish Mahana should refrain from making such statements. He should speak in a manner befitting the dignity of the office of the Assembly speaker and should not play with public sentiment," the party said in a post on X. The SP further said while it has often criticised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mahana, being an experienced constitutional authority, is expected to exercise greater restraint in his public remarks. Speaking to PTI Videos on Wednesday, Mahana said his remarks were made specifically in the context of Singh's statement and should not be interpreted otherwise. "It is unfortunate that some people committed theft there. The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), action has been taken and the accused have been sent to jail. Whoever is involved, irrespective of his position, must be punished," he said. Mahana questioned the concern being expressed by leaders who, according to him, had opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the construction of the temple. "Those who opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, who sent people to jail for raising the 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan, who never visited the temple before or after its construction are now expressing concern over the Ram temple. That is surprising to me," he said. Clarifying his earlier remarks, Mahana said, "When Digvijaya Singh said his money should be returned, I said that perhaps he had not donated with devotion because money offered with devotion is never sought back. Devotees do not ask for a return of their offerings." He said the alleged theft at the temple involved "money offered with faith" but added that it is incorrect to suggest that all donations made by devotees have been stolen. "The money lying in the trust's accounts belongs to devotees. How can anyone say that all the money donated by devotees has been stolen? The theft is unfortunate and those responsible are being punished, but devotion cannot be measured in monetary terms," Mahana said. He added that lakhs of devotees have contributed according to their means towards the construction of the temple and that the shrine stands as a symbol of collective faith and sacrifice. Referring to Singh's remarks, he said, "If he believes that he had not donated with devotion and wants his money back, then the trust can return it or I will return it." The speaker accused some leaders of attempting to cast aspersions on the entire Hindu community by linking the theft with the faith of devotees and objected to remarks suggesting that the theft would not have occurred had a Muslim been associated with the temple's donation management. "Does that mean the entire Hindu community is dishonest? Such statements are unacceptable to the Hindu society," he said. The alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light in the first week of June, following which the state government constituted the SIT. An FIR was registered on June 25 on the basis of a preliminary report from the SIT. Eight people associated with the temple's donation-counting process have so far been arrested, while two functionaries of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust -- its former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra -- have resigned. PTI KIS MAN RC