Oppn Questions PM's Silence on Ram Mandir Theft Case, Asks For Probe Against Higher-Ups

As the probe into the Ram Temple donation funds theft case advances following the arrest of 8 suspects, resignations of trustees Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, the Opposition has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the entire matter and called for action against the higher officials in the line.Opposition leaders have alleged that massive corruption couldn’t have taken place without the involvement of higher-ups.Congress demanded that the Supreme Court should take a suo motu cognizance of the case and said that officials at the higher ranks should be held accountable. It questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple and demanded the immediate arrest of those behind the "scam".The

Congress further sharpened its attack on the government over the alleged irregularities, saying that the funds theft is not merely a “financial scandal” but a “betrayal of faith” as every Indian had donated in the construction of the temple.Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also launched a fierce attack on the Ram Temple, claiming high-level conspiracies were behind this.

Congress Calls for Supreme Court Monitored Investigation

Dismissing the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the matter, the Congress called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe, alleging that corruption is “deep-rooted”.

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Congress Questions PM Modi’s Silence

Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Prasad Singh demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible in the trust against whom serious allegations have been made, and that the trust be dissolved as it has lost the "people's trust".The grand old party spokesperson Singh further alleged that the BJP was not a ‘True Ram Bhakt’ as they did not maintain Lord Ram's 'maryada' by not ordering an investigation themselves."The country wants to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on such a big issue... Prime Minister Narendra Modi should step forward to ensure a fair investigation of this case, so that people's faith remains intact," he said.

ED, CBI Only For Opposition, Asks Congress

Mentioning that the 'trust' of the people in the Ram Mandir Trust has been lost, Akhilesh Prasad Singh called for immediately dissolving it.Singh said, “It is strange why no arrest has been made so far. If an opposition leader is involved, the ED and CBI arrest all such leaders claiming that if they remain out they can influence the trial.”"Is the ED, CBI only meant for the opposition? Are those involved in the scam in Ayodhya not influencing the probe," he asked.Singh brought out that the Trust had appointed agencies for financial investigation and scrutiny but ignored their suggestions."When the incidents of theft began to be revealed. When the temple's cash counting agent Mahipal Singh publicly disclosed several matters, he was removed from his position… When further revelations started coming to light, the CCTV cameras were removed and the camera recordings were deleted. After the SIT's report in this matter, FIRs were filed against some people, but it only included the names of minor employees," Singh alleged.Singh pressed the Congress has been saying for a long time that these people's intentions are not right, but this matter was not taken seriously.Congress leader Pawan Khera said money for the Ram Mandir did not come only from big corporations and wealthy donors. "It came from the notes carefully tucked away in spice boxes by mothers and grandmothers. It came from the piggy banks of children. It came from the poor and the marginalised, who may have given only a few rupees, but did so with immense faith and love.”"They cannot now shrug their shoulders and pretend to be bystanders when serious allegations of embezzlement and organised loot have surfaced. This is not merely a financial scandal. It is a betrayal of faith. The nation deserves answers," Khera said.Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also termed the happenings at Ayodhya "really tragic" and shameful."The people from all over the country, those who believe and those who have faith, gave donations and now those donations have been stolen. I think it is tragic."I think it is shameful and the government needs to inquire into what has happened, how it has happened and why it has happened," she told reporters in Wayanad.

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Uddhav Thackeray Calls for ‘BJP-Mukt Ram’

Targeting the Central government on the Ram Mandir issue, Uddhav Thackeray said that they have betrayed Hindus and Hindutva and called for a ‘BJP-Mukt Ram’."Real Hindutva teaches humanity. We reject your (BJP) Hindutva of looting temples. We want a ‘BJP-mukt Ram’ and Shiv Sena (UBT) will lead such protests," said Uddhav, as he made remarks in the Yavatmal-Washim Lok Sabha constituency.

Don’t Involve a Bureaucrat, Urges Seers

As calls rise to appoint a CEO to manage the temple’s management, seers from Ayodhya gave a call on not to involve any bureaucrat in the functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.Senior Ayodhya-based seer Mithilesh Nandini Sharan said, "The biggest establishment of corruption is the bureaucracy. So no one attached to this establishment must enter the Ram temple trust.""(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi Adityanath should take cognisance that the Ram temple trust must have representation of seers from different sects. Appointing any bureaucrat as the CEO of the trust will not be a wise decision as it will hurt the sentiments of seers," he said.Asked what could be the possible solution to this, Das said, "Good and pious arrangements should be made in the temple. All the work should be handled by seers. The mandir work should not be handled by regular people. Seers will do the temple work and there will not be a theft of even a paise."Sharing his views on Champat Rai, Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, peethadhishwar of the Tapasvi Chhavni in Ayodhya, said, ”I believe that Champat Rai is honest. He should be retained (in the trust)."The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has snowballed into a major controversy, with an SIT probe finding lapses in the shrine's donation management system and eight people associated with counting cash and valuables being arrested.Police have arrested these eight people in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations.Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said that its general secretary, Champat Rai, and member Anil Mishra have resigned from their posts, while asserting that a fair inquiry will be conducted into allegations related to the temple donations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUGBxlJ39Ks

Ram Temple Trust Says We Are 'Shocked, Hurt, Saddened'

Facing the ire, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple trust said that they are "shocked, hurt, and saddened" over the alleged theft of the donation fund but assured the devotees that they are committed to ensuring a fair investigation. The trust also assured devotees that their donations, such as silver bricks and jewelry handed personally to them for offering to Lord Ram, are safe and fully accounted for.

CM Yogi Assures Action Against

Ever since the matter has surfaced, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured of strict action and a transparent probe in the case, saying that those found guilty — be that matter whosoever they are — will not be spared.As an FIR has been filed in the case and the probe continues, the Ram Temple trust is expected to hold a key meeting early next month.