Congress targets PM Modi over ‘silence’ on Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy

The Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged financial irregularities in donations to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, questioning his silence and demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the case.

Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal alleged that the Prime Minister’s silence exposed the BJP’s “double standards”, arguing that the party had come to power by championing the Ram Temple movement but was now unwilling to act on what he described as a major scam.

“PM has the moral responsibility to act upon this. One of the reasons he became the PM was the Ram Temple issue. The biggest theft happened and you are mum. This is clearly exposing the double standards of the BJP. They are using God for the sake of political advantage,” Venugopal told ANI.

His remarks came a day after he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged donation scam. In his letter, Venugopal claimed the alleged “Chanda Chori” at the Ayodhya temple had “shaken the nation” and amounted to a betrayal of the faith of millions of devotees.

Questioning the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, Venugopal argued that it could not conduct an impartial probe because the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established by the Union government.

“The Temple Trust has been nominated by the Union Government. Now the SIT is investigating; they cannot inquire into this honestly. It is very clear that the big fish are being protected,” he alleged.

Venugopal also targets Yogi Adityanath

The Congress leader also criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for attacking those raising questions over the alleged financial irregularities.

“After the theft, you are criticising those who are questioning the theft. That means you are justifying the people who have committed this theft. There should be an impartial inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court. Let the CBI investigate under the monitoring of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Faizabad Bar Association has filed a complaint with the Ayodhya Police, naming former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, former trustee Anil Mishra and administrator Gopal Rao, among others, in connection with the alleged financial irregularities. The association has also sought the registration of a fresh FIR, claiming new evidence has emerged.

The controversy began after an FIR was registered on June 25 over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.

Following the FIR, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from their respective positions, citing moral responsibility for the controversy.

The Uttar Pradesh government has since extended the tenure of the SIT by 15 days to widen the scope of its investigation, while police continue recording statements from key individuals as part of the ongoing probe.