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.
