Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of using religion to benefit from alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath responded by questioning the SP leader’s commitment to Ayodhya and Hindu religious traditions.
Yadav alleged that the BJP has turned Sanatan Dharma into a means of doing business. “The Samajwadi people want to protect Sanatan Dharma, but the entire business is being run under the guise of Sanatan Dharma,” Yadav said at a press conference. “BJP should rename itself as ‘BhaChPa’ – chaturai (intelligence), Chanda (gift), Korean (theft) and chaalbaazi He added (deception).
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“Neither religion nor shame remains. Their priority is not religion, but money. For them, it is not ‘nation first’ but ‘donation first,'” he said in the BJP’s dictionary.
Referring to the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram temple, Yadav wondered how such an incident could have occurred at one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.
“Who would have imagined such a massive betrayal of faith? CCTV footage shows the number of times the cameras have been turned off. What more do we have to say?”
Predicting the defeat of the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027, he said, “BJP will get no donations, no bids and no votes. In 2027, the Samajwadi Party government will be formed with the PDA alliance.”
Yadav continued his attack, saying: “Those who falsely accused everyone of theft have now been exposed by God. What could be more shameful? In a holy place like Ayodhya, they stole donations intended for God.”
Read also | Poor supervision and CCTV deficiencies: SIT sees a pattern of lapses in the safekeeping of Ram Mandir funds
Taking another pass at the CCTV footage, he said: “The word CC in CCTV now stands for ‘Chanda Chori’ and ‘Chadhawa Chori’. The poor women are now wondering why they make offerings if they are stolen.”
Yadav also responded to the recent criticism leveled by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his not visiting the Ram temple after its inauguration.
“After completing the construction of the Shiv temple in Etawah, I will go to Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Ram. But the issue is not related to my visit,” he said.
Questioning the Prime Minister’s oversight, Yadav added, “The Prime Minister kept claiming that he had visited Ayodhya several times, but remained unaware of what was happening there. This proves the old saying, ‘There is darkness under the lamp’. If this could have happened there, imagine the level of corruption in tehsils, police stations and other places.”
Yogi Adityanath replied
CM Yogi Adityanath hit back at Yadav during a public program in Hathras and accused the Samajwadi Party of opposing Hindu religious traditions while claiming credit for the development of Ayodhya.
“Akhilesh ji, don’t worry about Ayodhya, Top. Have darshan of Lord Shri Ram Lala at least once. At least, it will bring you good sense. Come, let us talk frankly that just like the movement to liberate Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, a campaign to liberate Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi should also be launched.”
Referring to Yadav’s recent promise to further develop Ayodhya if voted to power, Adityanath questioned the SP’s record.
Read also | Lord Ram will not forgive those who betrayed the faith of the devotees: Akhilesh
“I was reading a statement by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. He was saying that if his government comes, it will make Ayodhya a religious city. What religious city will you create? I have seen your history,” the chief minister said.
He also accused the previous SP government of working against Ram fans, saying: “Your people shot Ram fans. Your government shot them.”
Talking about the transformation Ayodhya has witnessed under the BJP government, Adityanath said, “Today, thanks to the hard work and effort of Ram’s devotees, Ayodhya is under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Now, the Treta Yuga is being celebrated.”
Continuing his criticism, he added: “Even your mouth is watering. I have also stopped organizing Krishna Janmashtami in police stations and prisons. I have also imposed a ban on Kavad Yatra.”
The Prime Minister also claimed that the development of the temple has accelerated under the BJP.
“Was this possible during the Socialist Party era? At that time, money used to go towards the boundary walls of cemeteries. We transferred the same money towards temples,” he said.
Adityanath said, “Now let us talk about Mathura. If you are really trying to call yourself religious, then talk openly about Mathura Vrindavan and the birthplace of Shri Krishna. The birthplace of Shri Krishna should also be honored.”
He accused the opposition of a policy of appeasement, saying: “You have no agenda other than kneeling before the mullahs and Mawlids. Don’t do the work of spreading dust on development.”
Ram temple donation row
The exchange comes amid great controversy surrounding the alleged incident Misappropriation of donations made at Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The case escalated after approximately eight people linked to the temple management were arrested $80 lakh were recovered during the search operations, and two senior members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Foundation resigned amid the ongoing investigation.
The FIR was registered following the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which reportedly found prima facie irregularities in the handling of donations from devotees.
