The Congress on Friday sharpened its attack on the Narendra Modi government over the alleged misappropriation of temple offerings, with party general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh accusing the Prime Minister of maintaining a “deafening silence” on what he described as a matter of grave public concern.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh alleged that both devotees and the public had been betrayed and questioned Modi’s refusal to respond to the controversy. “Prime Minister, when Lord Ram has been betrayed and the people have been deceived, what hesitation or arrogance is there in accepting it?” Ramesh said.
He further alleged that “there is widespread anger and outrage across the country over the alleged theft of temple offerings carried out under the leadership of individuals from the RSS ecosystem chosen by your government.”
Stepping up the attack, the Congress leader said, “What your government did was a grave wrongdoing in itself, but your continued silence on this extremely important matter is no less than a grave sin.”
Ramesh also said that Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak had addressed a press conference at the party headquarters earlier in the day, demanding that the Prime Minister “break his silence” on the issue.
The remarks are the latest in a series of attacks by the Congress over allegations relating to the handling of temple offerings, an issue the party has sought to raise politically while demanding accountability from the Centre. The Bharatiya Janata Party has, however, consistently rejected the Opposition’s allegations in such matters, accusing the Congress of attempting to politicise issues linked to faith and religious institutions.
The latest exchange adds to the ongoing political sparring between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress, with both parties increasingly invoking issues relating to governance, accountability and religious institutions as they seek to shape the national political narrative.