'Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhokha': Congress demands public disclosure of all financial records of Ayodhya Ram Temple

The Congress on Wednesday intensified its attack on the government over the alleged theft of donations at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, demanding that all financial records of the temple trust be made public.

The Opposition party maintained that accountability should not be confined to the eight employees arrested in connection with the alleged theft, and that everyone found guilty must face action in accordance with the law.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that individuals affiliated with the BJP, RSS and VHP had exercised control over the management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the temple's construction and the collection and handling of donations. He argued that they could not evade responsibility for the alleged misappropriation of offerings.

“Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhokha” (Donation theft, betrayal of faith), Ramesh said, alleging that members associated with these organisations had controlled every stage of the process, from managing the trust and overseeing construction to collecting donations and depositing them in banks.

Ramesh also recalled that Mahipal Singh, a former accounts in-charge associated with the RSS, had raised allegations of financial irregularities and misappropriation of temple offerings as early as 2021. However, instead of acting on the allegations, the then trust chief, Champat Rai, removed Singh from his position, he claimed.

Citing media reports, Ramesh further alleged that Dinanath Verma, an engineer overseeing construction work, had accused individuals of demanding a 40 per cent commission for work related to the trust office. Verma reportedly claimed that he had played an audio recording of the alleged demand to Champat Rai, following which he was removed from the project.

“Has Champat Rai been directly questioned about this?” Ramesh asked.

The Congress leader also alleged that Anukalp Mishra, one of the accused, had links with the Bajrang Dal and the RSS. He further pointed out that Champat Rai had attended a Bhagwat Katha event associated with Mishra on April 30.

“Does this not amount to direct protection being provided to the thieves from the highest levels?” Ramesh asked.

Ramesh also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, recalling that he himself had announced its establishment in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020.

Ramesh alleged that the entire process had been conducted confidentially, with no public disclosure of the criteria used to select the trust members or the deliberations behind their appointment.

“While the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were at the forefront when it came to taking credit and posing for photographs, why have they remained consistently silent regarding the theft of temple offerings?” he asked.