The alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya triggered a fresh political confrontation on Friday, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accusing the Opposition of exploiting the issue while asserting that his government would pursue the investigation without compromising public faith.
Addressing a public gathering in Deoria, Adityanath said the state had adopted a zero-tolerance approach and appealed to those making allegations to place their evidence before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case after the registration of the first FIR.
Yogi asks critics to cooperate with SIT
The chief minister said the government had been clear from the beginning that the investigation would establish the truth.
He urged political parties to refrain from making statements without evidence and said anyone possessing proof should submit it to the SIT instead of engaging in accusations.
Adityanath also alleged that several Opposition parties had earlier opposed the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple and were now attempting to raise questions over Ayodhya for political reasons.
In a sharp attack on the Congress, he accused the party of corruption and claimed it had repeatedly challenged the Ram temple movement. He also criticised Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying Delhi had witnessed corruption under his government while Ayodhya had witnessed development under the BJP.
“Even a gentleman (Arvind Kejriwal) from Delhi has come there (Ayodhya) today. I would also like to tell him that the people of Delhi gave him opportunities for many years, but he gave nothing to Delhi except corruption… If the same justice that the double-engine BJP government did with Ayodhya is done by the Aam Aadmi Party with Delhi, then Delhi too would shine just like Ayodhya Dham is shining,” he said.
“The government had stated from day one that the absolute truth would be brought to light. I reiterate: do not put the devotees of Ram to the test, do not trifle with their faith; if you have proof, present the evidence to the SIT,” he said.
The chief minister further referred to Muharram, saying peace prevailed across Uttar Pradesh and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to disturb communal harmony.
VHP, Deputy CM back government action
Vishva Hindu Parishad International president Alok Kumar welcomed the pace of the investigation, saying the Trust itself had sought the formation of the SIT and that an FIR was registered as soon as the accused were identified.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the government had taken the allegations seriously and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also defended the investigation, saying the Trust itself initiated legal action before the Opposition raised the issue publicly. He claimed the government’s response had been transparent.
Sanjay Raut levels fresh allegations
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut intensified the political attack by alleging that a much larger amount had been siphoned from the Ram Mandir Trust and diverted into political activities, including engineering splits in political parties.
He further claimed that the principal accused continued to remain associated with the Trust.
Raut’s remarks came even as a fresh petition was moved before the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation. The plea has sought registration of an FIR and the constitution of a CBI-led SIT to investigate alleged financial irregularities and missing funds linked to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
What the FIR says
An FIR was registered on June 25 following directions from the Uttar Pradesh government after a preliminary inquiry by the SIT.
The case has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5).
Those named in the FIR include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others.
The investigation follows allegations by former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey, who claimed that donations worth between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore were misappropriated from the Ram Mandir.
The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a three-member SIT on June 14 after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought an investigation into the allegations.