Ayodhya – Kejriwal Seeks Strong Action in Ram Temple Donation Case
Ayodhya – Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has demanded firm legal action in the alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple donation embezzlement case, saying that resignations alone should not be treated as an adequate response if wrongdoing is established.
The comments came after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of its General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra following a high-level meeting held on Monday.
Kejriwal Questions Resignation as a Response
In a post on X, Kejriwal said devotees and followers of Sanatan Dharma were entitled to accountability rather than symbolic action. He argued that individuals found responsible in the matter should face strict punishment under the law instead of being allowed to step aside through resignation.
He said the issue involved public faith and donations made by devotees, making a transparent investigation and appropriate legal action necessary.
Trust Announces Administrative Changes
Along with accepting the resignations of Rai and Mishra, the Trust removed Gopal Nagarkote from the list of special invitee members.
Trustee Krishna Mohan has been assigned the responsibilities of General Secretary until a permanent appointment is made. The Trust also formed a three-member panel to identify suitable candidates for the post of Chief Executive Officer.
The committee includes retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Havde. It will recommend names for the CEO position after reviewing potential candidates.
Trust Shares Details of Donations and Spending
In its statement, the Trust outlined the financial position of the Ram Temple project and the donations received through its fundraising efforts.
It said a total of Rs 3,264 crore had been collected through the fund dedication campaign and corpus contributions. Of this amount, Rs 2,370 crore has been used for temple construction and other capital-related expenditure.
The Trust also reported that the temple had received Rs 582 crore in offerings up to March 31. It said Rs 391 crore from these offerings had been spent on operational requirements, while the remaining funds were retained in bank accounts.
Physical Offerings Subject to Annual Verification
According to the Trust, 2,126 physical offerings have been formally registered. These items are examined every year by an independent chartered accountant firm as part of the verification process.
The Trust stated that silver offerings have been converted into bricks at the India Government Mint. It said records, purity certificates and related documentation have been maintained for the process.
SIT Investigation Continues in the Case
The Special Investigation Team examining the alleged donation-related irregularities has arrested eight people in connection with the case.
The Trust has said that any person found guilty after the investigation should face legal proceedings and receive the strongest punishment permitted by law. It has also maintained that its financial records and donation management processes are being documented and reviewed.
Political Debate Intensifies Before State Polls
The controversy has added to the political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh.
Opposition leaders have raised questions about oversight and accountability in the matter, while the case is expected to remain part of the political discussion in the run-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.