'Extremely pained': RSS breaks silence on Ayodhya Ram Temple theft, embezzlement; urges strict punishment for guilty
The RSS urged the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint, actively countering any attempts by "anti-Hindu and anti-national" forces to tarnish Hinduism and its society by exploiting the incident
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has expressed deep pain and anger regarding the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, a scandal that has reportedly hurt the sentiments of devotees, and has called for strict punishment for all those found guilty by the ongoing investigation. The organization, through a video statement from General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government's formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and legal proceedings, emphasizing the need for transparent financial management and rectifying operational shortcomings within the temple trust to restore public faith. Furthermore, the RSS urged the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint, actively countering any attempts by "anti-Hindu and anti-national" forces to tarnish Hinduism and its society by exploiting this unfortunate incident. This development follows the UP government's extension of the SIT investigation deadline and the prior arrest of eight individuals based on a preliminary report concerning the alleged misappropriation of temple funds.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has expressed deep pain and anger regarding the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, a scandal that has reportedly hurt the sentiments of devotees, and has called for strict punishment for all those found guilty by the ongoing investigation. The organization, through a video statement from General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government's formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and legal proceedings, emphasizing the need for transparent financial management and rectifying operational shortcomings within the temple trust to restore public faith. Furthermore, the RSS urged the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint, actively countering any attempts by "anti-Hindu and anti-national" forces to tarnish Hinduism and its society by exploiting this unfortunate incident. This development follows the UP government's extension of the SIT investigation deadline and the prior arrest of eight individuals based on a preliminary report concerning the alleged misappropriation of temple funds.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has expressed deep pain and anger regarding the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, a scandal that has reportedly hurt the sentiments of devotees, and has called for strict punishment for all those found guilty by the ongoing investigation. The organization, through a video statement from General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government's formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and legal proceedings, emphasizing the need for transparent financial management and rectifying operational shortcomings within the temple trust to restore public faith. Furthermore, the RSS urged the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint, actively countering any attempts by "anti-Hindu and anti-national" forces to tarnish Hinduism and its society by exploiting this unfortunate incident. This development follows the UP government's extension of the SIT investigation deadline and the prior arrest of eight individuals based on a preliminary report concerning the alleged misappropriation of temple funds.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has broken its silence on the ongoing Ayodhya Ram Mandir theft, embezzlement row, saying the incident had hurt the sentiments and faith of the devotees.
They said that they were all “extremely pained and angered by this event.”
The group took to X and posted a video statement.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said that the incident was "highly condemnable"
Referring to the investigation, Hosable noted that the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations. He also asked that the guilty face severe punishment.
"It is essential to ensure that whoever is found guilty in the investigation receives strict punishment," the statement read.
The RSS also said that the Trust should treat the incident as “an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations."
It also said that they are confident that transparent financial management, seamless operations and systems rooted in accountability, purity and sanctity would help reinforce devotees' trust in the temple administration.
Additionally, the RSS called upon the Hindu community to maintain peace and restraint while thwarting “anti-Hindu and anti-national” forces. “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
On July 1, the UP government gave a 15 day extention to the SIT, bringing the allegation of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
After a preliminary SIT report was submitted on June 23, eight accused —Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav— were arrested.