Congress Calls for Supreme Court Inquiry into Ayodhya Temple Donation Scandal
Demand for Accountability in Ayodhya Temple Donations
Bhubaneswar: The Congress party has urged for a Supreme Court-supervised investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This call comes in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the matter and the establishment of a new temple trust following the dissolution of the previous one.
The opposition party criticized Modi for his lack of response, emphasizing that it was the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) that originally established the Ram Mandir trust and appointed its members.
"The PMO defined the roles and responsibilities of those involved. Now, with a significant financial scandal emerging, the Prime Minister has remained silent," stated Mita Chakraborty, a Congress leader from West Bengal, during a press briefing.
Chakraborty accused the BJP of failing to safeguard the donations made by millions of Hindus for the temple's construction, despite campaigning on the basis of Lord Ram.
"Lord Ram is not merely a political figure; he embodies the faith and respect of countless Hindus both in India and abroad. If donations made to him have been misappropriated, the BJP must be held accountable," she asserted.
She further criticized both the Prime Minister and the ruling government for not taking responsibility for the financial discrepancies.
Chakraborty warned that the irregularities uncovered so far might only represent the "tip of the iceberg" and reiterated the need for a Supreme Court-monitored judicial inquiry into the alleged scam.
"The acceptance of resignations from trust officials indicates their involvement in the scandal. While some lower-ranking officials have faced consequences, those in higher positions have escaped scrutiny," she added.
"Such a large-scale financial fraud could not occur without the protection of powerful individuals. We demand that an FIR be filed against all implicated parties and that they face imprisonment," she insisted.
Additionally, the Congress leader called for a comprehensive audit of all donations and offerings, with the results made public.
"We also seek a statement from the Prime Minister regarding this issue and the establishment of a new trust after the current one is dissolved," Chakraborty concluded.
Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das, who attended the press conference, announced that the party plans to raise awareness about this issue in every village across Odisha in the coming days.