Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday defended former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat
Rai amid the ongoing Ram Temple donation controversy, saying Rai had worked with immense dedication for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Speaking to reporters, Maurya said the alleged embezzlement was a painful incident but stressed that there was no need to turn it into a major public controversy while the investigation was underway. "The investigation is underway. There is no need to comment while it is in progress. However, both the SIT and the police, after registering an FIR, are investigating the incident that took place there. Please wait for the investigation to be completed. The opposition has no moral right to speak on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. Whatever Akhilesh Yadav is doing is only pushing the Samajwadi Party further into decline," Maurya told reporters. Defending Rai, he said, "The people who were serving there as employees and who allegedly committed this act of theft are under investigation. Certainly, it is a painful incident, and it should be considered unacceptable from every perspective." "Those who worked with immense dedication, almost like ascetics, for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement—including Champat Rai Ji and everyone who was part of the movement and the temple's construction—have all been deeply pained by this incident. But the way the issue is being turned into a major public debate is unnecessary. Whoever has committed theft has done wrong, and action will be taken against them. That action is already under way," he added. Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold its key meeting on July 6 amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds, During the meeting, trustees will make decisions on the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Both resigned from their respective posts June 27.
