Rajasthan: Congress demands SC-monitored probe into Ram temple donations ‘scam’

Jaipur, Jul 11 (PTI) The Congress on Saturday alleged serious irregularities in the donation collection system at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter, with party spokesperson Ajay Upadhyay calling it a case of “loot in the name of faith”. Addressing a press conference here, Upadhyay said, “Funds collected in the name of Lord Ram have become a source of political loot by the BJP-RSS.” Terming the issue not just financial but emotional, he said, “This is not merely a financial scam, but a grave betrayal of the faith, trust and sentiments of crores of devotees.” The remarks came amid the opposition's demand for a judicial probe into the alleged financial irregularities in the Ram temple's donation management system. Seeking accountability, Upadhyay said, “A trust was formed to oversee the temple affairs under the supervision of the prime minister. Who will take responsibility for this alleged scam now?" The Congress spokesman also referred to the resignation of two key functionaries of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust – its general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra – in the wake of the alleged donation embezzlement case. “Had everything been fine, why did Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign? What is the reason to fear an independent probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court if nothing was wrong?” he asked. The Congress leader also claimed that questions are being raised over the financial transparency and management of donations and expenditures related to the temple. “Allegations of fake receipts, cash offerings and other financial irregularities have come to the fore. Yet, action has been taken only against lower-level staff, which raises concern. Accountability has not been fixed on the top officials of the temple trust,” Upadhyay said. Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, the Congress leader said, “The country wants to know why the prime minister is silent on the entire matter. We demand a judicial probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court so that the truth behind this loot in the name of faith comes out.” 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, “Nothing noteworthy came to light during the ongoing internal audit”. Based on the 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 the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Calling for strict action against those involved in the “scam”, Upadhaya said, “The influential persons involved in the case should be arrested immediately." He also called for dissolving the existing temple trust and constituting a new body that is “transparent” and “accountable”. “Lord Ram does not belong to any political party; he is a symbol of faith for crores of Indians,” Upadhyay said. PTI AG ARI