Ram Temple Donations – Akhilesh Yadav Questions SIT Probe in Uttar Pradesh
Ram Temple Donations – Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday questioned the decision to assign a Special Investigation Team to examine allegations linked to donations at the Ram Temple, claiming the choice of agency reflected an internal contest for influence within the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking at a press conference, Yadav did not name the BJP directly but referred to what he described as two power centres, one in Lucknow and another in Delhi. He alleged that the handling of the inquiry had been shaped by competing interests within the ruling party.
Investigation Agency Draws Questions
Yadav said the case could have been handled by central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation or the Income Tax Department. He argued that the use of an SIT raised questions about who would oversee the investigation and receive its findings.
According to the SP chief, an inquiry by a central agency would have placed the matter under a different chain of command. He claimed that the state-level SIT arrangement had allowed one group within the ruling establishment to take charge before the national leadership could intervene.
He alleged that individuals connected with temple offerings and donations were facing public anger and were avoiding scrutiny. These allegations were made by Yadav during his interaction with reporters; no independent evidence was presented at the press conference to support the claims.
Claims of Internal Rivalry
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the choice of the SIT was not merely an administrative decision. He maintained that it showed the political tensions he believes exist between the state leadership and the party’s central leadership.
Yadav also referred to the moral ideals associated with Lord Ram, saying that people who study the Ramayana understand the importance of limits and propriety. He alleged that those involved in the controversy had crossed the boundaries of public conduct and ethical responsibility.
His remarks came amid continuing political exchanges over the reported donation-related case. The matter has become a point of disagreement between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP, with both sides accusing the other of acting for political reasons.
BJP Rejects Opposition Criticism
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called the incident unfortunate but criticised the opposition for raising the issue in a political context. He said public faith should not be used for partisan arguments.
Pathak alleged that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress had historically opposed the construction of the Ram Temple. He referred to arguments made during the long-running legal dispute over the Ayodhya site and said the two parties had previously questioned aspects of the claim connected to Lord Ram’s birthplace.
He said the opposition parties were not justified in questioning the issue now, accusing them of having made remarks that, in his view, hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma.
Political Debate Continues
The exchange highlights the continuing political sensitivity surrounding the Ram Temple and its management. While Yadav has sought answers on the scope and supervision of the investigation, the BJP has maintained that the opposition is attempting to turn a matter of religious faith into a political controversy.
No detailed response from the BJP was included regarding Yadav’s specific allegation that an internal power struggle influenced the decision to use an SIT. The investigation and the political debate around it are expected to remain under close watch in Uttar Pradesh.