Ram Mandir Donation Scam: Oppn Protests, Alleges Govt Hiding Truth

Opposition MLAs protested in the Maharashtra Assembly over the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation scam. Congress's Nana Patole alleged leaders were detained, while SP's Awadhesh Prasad demanded an SC-monitored probe into the financial irregularities.

Opposition MLAs on Tuesday protested over the issue of the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donations embezzlement case during the Monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

Opposition Demands Probe, Alleges Cover-Up

Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai and his colleagues were stopped from visiting Ayodhya and placed under house arrest, claiming that the government was trying to prevent the truth from reaching the public. Speaking to ANI, Patole said, "A sham SIT was constituted. Our Congress State President, Ajay Rai, and his colleagues were set to visit Ayodhya with due permission to witness the reality of the havoc wreaked by the BJP's 'dacoits,' but the government panicked and placed them under house arrest. They do not want the truth to reach the public, but the people have already realised the reality."

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad, demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged Ram Mandir donations embezzlement case. He suggested that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) alone was not sufficient. "This matter should be probed by a team constituted by the order of the Supreme Court. First of all, the Trust should have been suspended, and the officials should have been removed, and then the SIT probe should have been undertaken," Prasad said. "BJP came to power with the issue of the Ram temple, and their government will go over this same issue," he said.

BJP Hits Back at Opposition

However, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma hit out at the Opposition, accusing them of attempting to discourage devotees, while alleging a "conspiracy" to undermine public faith and devotion. Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, "These (the Opposition) are the people who did not participate in the Ram Mandir movement. They are the ones who used to question the very existence of Lord Ram. They had no connection to the movement and made no contribution born of devotion. Their stance is not merely against the BJP; rather, they are making these statements to discourage the number of devotees visiting the Ram Mandir. Top Congress leaders have not visited the site to this day. There is a conspiracy in their minds to stifle the spirit of devotion."

Spiritual Leader Calls for Investigation

Bageshwar Dham Peethadhish Dhirendra Krishna Shastri said that anyone involved in wrongdoing in the "abode of Lord Ram" would face severe consequences and called for a probe by investigative agencies into the matter. "Those who commit such acts in the abode of Lord Ram will face severe punishment. When Ravana abducted Mata Janaki, his entire lineage was destroyed. Similarly, anyone who, while in the presence of the Lord, who is the centre of faith for millions, shows no fear of God or righteousness and commits such a heinous act will undoubtedly face severe retribution," he said.

He further said the responsibilities of the Ram Temple should be entrusted only to those belonging to the Sanatani Vaishnav and saintly traditions. "Individuals who are wholly devoted to the Lord," he said. "There are investigative agencies in the country. They should investigate the matter. The process is currently underway," Shastri added.

Legal Action and Investigation Underway

On Monday, a local court in Ayodhya remanded all the accused in the alleged donation scam to 14 days of judicial custody. The court's decision follows a high-intensity investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Police into reports of financial irregularities and the misappropriation of funds and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

The case has triggered a massive political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling BJP and Opposition parties trading allegations over the handling of the temple's finances, even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe continues. (ANI)

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