New Delhi:
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai and the UP CLP leader Ms Aradhana Mishra claimed that funds donated by devotees and assets linked to the Ram temple project had been mismanaged and called for a thorough audit of the trust’s functioning.
Rai said that an SIT constituted to examine the matter was inadequate & not time-bound, and questioned the appointment of controversial officials in the investigation team. He demanded that the inquiry be completed within a week to ten days and monitored by a sitting High Court judge.
He further alleged that irregularities had occurred at multiple stages, including donation collection, land transactions and management of offerings made by devotees, claiming that the issue involved a “systematic” and “organised” misuse of resources.
The Congress leader also sought accountability from the Union government, alleging that individuals associated with the trust had close links with the BJP and RSS. He called for strict action against anyone found guilty following an independent investigation.
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttar Pradesh, Aradhana Mishra, echoed the demand for a judicial probe and alleged that the BJP had “commercialised” the faith of devotees of Lord Ram.
She referred to past controversies relating to land acquisition and temple construction and alleged that questions raised earlier regarding land deals and infrastructure quality around the temple complex had not been adequately investigated.
Mishra also said that around 1,250 Ram Shilas (consecrated stones associated with the temple movement) were reportedly missing and alleged that there was no proper ledger or accounting system for assets and offerings received by the temple trust.
The Congress leaders demanded a fixed timeline for the investigation and action against all those found responsible, irrespective of their position.
On the issue of examination paper leaks, Mishra criticised the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, pointing out repeated failures in conducting recruitment and entrance examinations. She said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was engaging with students and youth affected by such issues and would continue raising their concerns.