Congress Calls for Supreme Court Oversight in Ram Temple Donation Scandal
Demand for Investigation into Ram Temple Donations
File image of Ram Temple (Photo: @airnewsalerts/X)
Chandigarh, July 10: The Congress party has called for a CBI investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds raised for the Ram Temple, asserting that this incident undermines Hindu faith and likening the perpetrators to historical figures like Mahmud Ghazni.
During a press conference on Friday, senior Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, alongside Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as merely a facade.
She stated, "If these issues have been ongoing and the government was unaware, it reflects their incompetence. Conversely, if they were aware and took no action, they share in the wrongdoing. The public is outraged and seeking accountability," she emphasized.
"The nation is deeply affected, and the Prime Minister must address this matter," she continued.
Senior Congress figure Shaktisinh Gohil also addressed the media at the Haryana Congress headquarters, echoing the call for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the donation funds.
Both leaders urged for the dissolution of the temple Trust amidst the controversy, which saw the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accept the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra on Monday.
"This situation transcends mere fraud; it is an assault on Hindu beliefs. A thorough investigation by the CBI, overseen by a Supreme Court judge, is essential," Shrinate asserted.
She demanded transparency regarding the SIT's findings, questioning, "Why is the progress of the SIT investigation not disclosed? Why have major suspects not been apprehended? Why is the Prime Minister silent on this critical issue?"
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale remarked on Friday that the alleged theft of donations has significantly wounded societal sentiments and called for strict penalties for those found guilty post-investigation.
Two days later, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed his agreement with Hosabale's sentiments.
The allegations of embezzlement surfaced on June 7, leading to an FIR being filed on June 25 following an initial report from the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government. So far, eight individuals linked to the donation process have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.