New Delhi: VHP international president Alok Kumar has sought a probe into allegations made by Opposition leaders in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as the issue triggered a fresh political row between the BJP and Opposition parties.
In a letter to Ayodhya Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Tiwari, Kumar referred to allegations made by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav regarding the alleged misappropriation of donations and offerings. He urged the investigating officer to record their statements and seek the factual basis, sources and supporting documents behind their claims.
The development comes as the probe into the alleged misappropriation continues. On July 3, the Special Investigation Team visited the Ram Temple premises in Ayodhya as part of its inquiry. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier granted the SIT a 15-day extension on July 1 to widen the scope of the investigation.
Reacting to Kumar’s letter, AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday called it “politically motivated” and questioned why there was “discrimination” even in matters concerning Lord Ram.
“I welcome his letter, but my next question is: why is there discrimination even in matters concerning Lord Ram? The Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s letter is politically motivated,” Singh told ANI.
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP said he was ready to cooperate with the investigation and would appear before the investigating officer whenever summoned. “Whenever the Investigating Officer summons me, I will appear. I have been waiting for five years. I had lodged a formal complaint back in 2021,” he said.
Singh also questioned the continuation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai in his position. “How is Champat Rai still holding his position? How is someone accused of such serious wrongdoing still sitting there?” he asked, alleging that no action had been taken despite his earlier complaint.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Opposition of “attacking India’s faith” amid the controversy. Addressing the Shakti Kendra Sanyojak Sammelan at Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Yogi said the BJP’s “double-engine” government had delivered welfare benefits without discrimination, weakening what he described as the Opposition’s politics of caste and class divisions.
“Seeing their divisive efforts fail, they are now resorting to attacking India’s faith. That is why I call upon all of you: this is the time for us to be vigilant,” he said.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin also hit out at Opposition leaders, alleging that those raising questions over the Ram Temple issue had earlier questioned the existence of Lord Ram and Ram Setu. He said the BJP would not allow anyone to “play” with the faith associated with the Ram Temple.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj welcomed the administration’s action and called for stringent punishment for those found guilty.