congress-seeks-pm-s-reply-in-house-over-ram-mandir-theft-case

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi respond in Parliament to allegations of theft and financial irregularities involving the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

 

Speaking to ANI in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, Kharge said the Opposition had raised the issue on behalf of devotees and sought an explanation from the Prime Minister over the alleged missing valuables and donation funds.

 

“We were the first to raise the issue of theft of the assets inside the temple,” Kharge said, questioning the composition and functioning of the trust responsible for the temple's affairs.

 

He alleged that the Prime Minister had played a key role in the formation and functioning of the temple trust and therefore should come to the House and respond to the allegations.

 

Kharge referred to reports of valuables allegedly missing from the temple, including jewellery, gold, silver, cash, gold bricks and a gold copy of the Ramcharitmanas. He said the allegations had caused concern among devotees and those who have faith in Lord Ram.

 

 

“The people who have faith in Ram Mandir and Lord Ram are distressed. Their religious sentiments have been hurt,” Kharge said, adding that the Congress had taken up the issue because people expected opposition parties to raise their concerns.

 

The issue has also been raised by Samajwadi Party MPs in Parliament. Earlier, several SP MPs staged a protest in the Parliament premises over the alleged irregularities, displaying posters carrying the slogan “Chanda chor, gaddi chhod” (Donation thieves, step down).

 

The controversy relates to allegations of financial embezzlement involving donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

 

The Uttar Pradesh government told the Supreme Court on July 27 that it had constituted a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S, to investigate the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

 

According to the information available so far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators are also tracing the money trail to identify other assets and beneficiaries allegedly linked to the case.

 

Kharge's demand comes amid continued political exchanges over the alleged irregularities, with the Opposition seeking greater transparency and accountability in the handling of donations and temple assets.