CPI reiterates demand for judicial probe into Ram temple donation 'embezzlement'

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday reiterated its demand for a judicial probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds collected at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, accusing the BJP-led Centre of remaining silent over the issue and seeking accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference here ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament slated to begin July 20, CPI general secretary D Raja also expressed support for the nationwide protest announced by women's organisations on the opening day of the session to demand immediate implementation of women's reservation, accusing the government of using "all kinds of tricks" to delay its rollout. Referring to allegations surrounding the Ram temple trust, Raja alleged it had "betrayed the trust of people" and said resignations alone would not suffice. "In fact, the trust has defamed itself. The trust has betrayed the trust of the people. The trust has become trustworthy. Mr Modi is keeping quiet. He has not uttered a word so far. Mr Amit Shah has also not spoken on this issue," he said. Drawing a comparison with Prime Minister Modi's remarks during the 2024 Odisha Assembly election campaign over alleged theft from the Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar, Raja questioned why the prime minister was now silent. "Our party has been demanding from the very beginning that a high-level judicial probe be conducted. The probe must be completely transparent and nobody should be allowed to go scot-free. Resignations are not the answer," he said. On women's reservation, Raja said CPI had consistently supported the demand and accused the government of delaying its implementation through procedural measures. "This government is using all kinds of tricks to avoid implementing it (women's reservation). The government should stop all manipulations and honour Parliament's commitment to provide reservation," he said. He said women's organisations across the country had come together to intensify their campaign and would stage a protest on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session, alongside demonstrations by youth and student organisations. "As far as our party is concerned, we stand with the women's organisations. Women should have equal rights in our democracy and an adequate place in decision-making bodies of our democratic system," Raja said. The CPI leader also announced a nationwide campaign from August 6 to 15, during which the party will organise padyatras and other outreach programmes across states to highlight what it described as the Modi government's failure to address issues of livelihood, unemployment, rural distress and the concerns of workers, farmers, youth, students and women. The campaign will culminate in a rally in Delhi on September 1, he said. Raja also demanded restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), criticising the rural employment programme replacing it as burdensome for states. He also called for resignation of the minister concerned over repeated examination paper leaks, and reiterated CPI's support for the restoration of complete statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. PTI AO ARB ARB