Congress Questions Modi's Silence on Ayodhya Temple Donation Theft: A Call for Accountability

Allegations of Shielding in Ram Temple Donation Theft

In New Delhi, the Congress party has raised serious concerns regarding the investigation into the theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. They claim that individuals like Champat Rai, the former general secretary of the temple trust, are being protected amid the ongoing probe. The party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his lack of response, stating that "the arrogance of power is suicidal."

The Congress party also pointed out a significant delay of 21 days in filing a First Information Report (FIR) after a video surfaced on June 4, which highlighted the stolen funds.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, questioned whether the investigation's goal was merely to apprehend minor offenders or to hold accountable those who oversaw the temple's administration during these incidents.

Ramesh expressed his frustration on social media, asking why the government appears lenient towards those who misappropriated donations intended for Lord Ram's temple. He noted that despite CCTV footage capturing 105 theft incidents, the investigation has not targeted those allegedly shielding the culprits.

He further questioned the rationale behind recovering only Rs 79.85 lakh from the total stolen amount and why key figures like Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are being treated as witnesses instead of suspects.

In June, both Rai and Mishra resigned from their positions within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which has promised a thorough inquiry into the allegations surrounding the temple donations.

Ramesh emphasized the need for transparency, asking why there was a 21-day gap between the initial video evidence and the FIR filing. He raised concerns about how such a high number of thefts could occur without complicity or negligence from higher authorities.

He also questioned the limited number of accused individuals in light of the numerous thefts, suggesting that the investigation should extend beyond minor offenders to include those in positions of responsibility.

The Congress party has consistently called for an independent and credible investigation overseen by the Supreme Court, arguing that only such a probe can uncover the truth behind the donation thefts.

Ramesh concluded by urging the Prime Minister to address the nation regarding this issue, which he believes is deeply tied to public faith, and to clarify when accountability for the thefts will be established.