Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 7 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Tuesday described the alleged embezzlement of donations linked to the Ayodhya Ram Temple as a grave offence, calling it “dacoity” and demanding special laws to punish those responsible.
Speaking to ANI, Prasad said, “The resignations have no meaning. Stealing offerings from the Ram Temple isn’t just theft; it’s dacoity. This incident has certainly tarnished the sanctity of Lord Ram’s temple, and it has also tarnished the image of the people of Ayodhya.”
The Samajwadi Party senior leader said the incident had tarnished the sanctity of the temple and demanded strict punishment and special laws for those found responsible.
“For those who are responsible, ordinary punishment won’t do–special laws should be made to punish them. So that history remembers this as the case of the dacoity at Lord Ram’s temple,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Commission for Backwards Classes (NCBC) Chairperson Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said the temple trust had the responsibility to ensure a proper investigation after questions were raised over the matter.
“Once questions were raised, it was the Trust’s responsibility to ensure a thorough investigation. I believe an investigation is indeed underway; the Chief Minister constituted an SIT, and arrests have been made as a result,” Jyoti told ANI.
“Action is being taken, and I am fully confident that the truth will be revealed–as it should be, given that this is a matter concerning the faith of millions of people. Whoever committed this act–this grave sin–must face the strictest possible action,” she added.
Jyoti further said that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath could order a probe by a central agency if required, but maintained that the ongoing investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was already bringing out details related to the arrests.
“If the need arises, it remains within the Chief Minister’s discretion to order a probe by a central agency. However, the revelations regarding those arrested are currently being made precisely because of the SIT’s work,” she said.
“So, I feel that one needs to be somewhat cautious when engaging in politics around these matters. I would simply say that there are certain matters that warrant an investigation, and no questions should be raised about the investigation itself,” Jyoti added.
Reacting to political allegations in connection with the matter, Jyoti said the focus should remain on action against any irregularities instead of making accusations against individuals without evidence.
“The demand should be for action against the irregularities that occurred at the ground level. But levelling allegations against Mohan Bhagwat or the Prime Minister without facts is not right. I have no answer for those who raise political questions,” she said.
The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier constituted an SIT to investigate allegations related to irregularities in the Ram Temple donation matter, following which eight arrests were made as part of the probe.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of former General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra following a high-level meeting of the Trust on July 6 in Ayodhya. The board approved their resignations amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donation funds. (ANI)
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