Congress- Calls for Supreme Court Oversight in Ayodhya Temple Donation Case
Congress- The Congress on Friday intensified its criticism over the alleged misappropriation of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, demanding an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court. The party also called for the dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, arguing that the matter has raised serious concerns about accountability in managing funds contributed by devotees.
Congress Seeks Independent Judicial Inquiry
Addressing the issue, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal alleged that the controversy had exposed what he described as failures by the BJP and the RSS in protecting the interests of devotees. He claimed that ordinary citizens had made contributions to the temple out of faith, but allegations surrounding the handling of those donations had damaged public confidence.
Venugopal argued that while the government imposes strict regulations on several registered organizations, questions remain about the oversight of entities associated with the Sangh Parivar. He further alleged that the current investigation has not adequately addressed the role of senior officials responsible for managing temple finances.
According to him, only a probe supervised by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court would be capable of determining the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities.
Rajeev Shukla Raises Questions Over Donation Management
Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla also expressed concern over the alleged misuse of temple donations, stating that contributions made by devotees, including those from economically weaker sections, deserved complete transparency.
He questioned whether junior staff members alone could have carried out the alleged embezzlement without support from higher authorities. Referring to reports related to surveillance systems, Shukla said it should be examined whether such actions were possible without the knowledge of senior officials.
Shukla further alleged that the recording of cash donations lacked proper transparency and claimed that valuable ornaments offered by devotees were not being documented adequately. He described the allegations as a matter affecting the religious trust of millions of people.
Demand for Changes in Temple Trust
The Congress leader urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action if any wrongdoing is established. He also demanded that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust be dissolved and reconstituted.
According to Shukla, the new trust should primarily include religious scholars, saints, and individuals closely connected with temple traditions instead of those with political affiliations. He maintained that such a restructuring would help strengthen public confidence in the administration of the temple.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that eight individuals named in the First Information Report related to the alleged donation embezzlement have been arrested. The FIR was registered following a complaint submitted by Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The case was initiated after a preliminary report prepared by a Special Investigation Team constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government examined allegations concerning the handling of donations received at the Ram Temple. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are continuing to examine financial records and other evidence connected to the case.
The developments have sparked political debate, with the Congress demanding greater transparency and judicial oversight, while the investigation by law enforcement agencies continues under the existing legal process.