New Delhi: The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi
Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of using religion for financial gain. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responded by questioning Yadav’s commitment to Ayodhya and Hindu traditions.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP had turned Sanatan Dharma into a business. He claimed the party’s priority was money rather than religion and accused it of betraying the faith of devotees through the alleged donation scam.
Referring to the controversy, Yadav questioned how such an incident could happen at one of Hinduism’s holiest places. He also cited the alleged CCTV footage linked to the case and said the matter had deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees.
Akhilesh targets BJP over donation row
Continuing his attack, the SP chief said the BJP should rename itself BhaChPa, referring to chaturai (cleverness), chanda (donation), chori (theft), and chaalbaazi (deceit). He further alleged that the party had prioritised donations over public interest.
Yadav also predicted that the BJP would lose the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, claiming the Samajwadi Party-led PDA alliance would form the next government. Responding to criticism over not visiting the Ram Temple after its inauguration, he said he would visit Ayodhya after the completion of a Shiv temple in Etawah, adding that the current issue was about alleged corruption, not his personal visit.
He also questioned Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s repeated visits to Ayodhya, asking how such alleged irregularities could have gone unnoticed if the administration were closely monitoring the temple.
CM Yogi Adityanath hits back
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responded during a public event in Hathras, asking Akhilesh Yadav to visit Ayodhya and seek the blessings of Ram Lalla. He also accused the Samajwadi Party of opposing Hindu religious traditions while attempting to claim credit for Ayodhya’s development.
The Chief Minister further referred to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and said a similar campaign should be launched for the liberation of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. He also questioned the SP’s record after Yadav recently promised further development of Ayodhya if voted to power.
The political exchange comes as the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case remains under investigation, with police continuing their probe into the alleged misuse of devotees’ offerings.
