Arvind Kejriwal said: “I want to ask Amit Shah ji five questions. First question: Why didn’t you visit the Ram temple?”
Opposition leaders on Wednesday intensified their attack on the BJP over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal questioning the handling of the case and demanding accountability as the probe continues to accelerate the pace of the investigation.
The political attack came even as police focused on legal proceedings in the case, interrogating one of the detained defendants inside prison and preparing to request the detention of all eight defendants arrested in connection with the alleged diversion of congregational donations.
Addressing a press conference, the AAP’s national convener asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah a series of questions, linking them to the controversy over alleged misuse of temple donations.
The former Delhi chief minister said: “I want to ask Amit Shah ji five questions. First question: Why didn’t you visit the Ram temple?”
“The second question: Do you not feel like visiting Lord Ram? The third question: Do you not feel like going to the Ram temple? The fourth question: Do you need the blessings of Lord Ram? The fifth and most important question: Do you consider Lord Ram to be God? These people do not consider Lord Ram to be God. If they did, they would never steal the offerings made in the temple,” Kejriwal said.
In a post on X, Kejriwal claimed that Shah has not visited the Ram temple since its dedication ceremony and accused the BJP of using the temple for political gains.
“Amit Shah Ji has not visited Shri Ram Mandir even once so far. It has been two and a half years since Pran Pratishtha Shri Ram Mandir. In these two and a half years, he has not gone even once to have darshan of Lord Ram. In these two and a half years, he mentioned Lord Ram and the temple more than 42 times in his speeches and interviews, in which he often sought votes in the name of Ram and the temple. But he did not go for darshan,” he wrote.
Kejriwal further claimed: “For them, Ram is just a way to get power and earn money. They do not have any confidence in Ram.”
Congress demands full disclosure
Congress member Gaurav Gogoi said the controversy had hurt the sentiments of devotees and called for a full investigation into the allegations.
“Ayodhya Ram Temple is a matter of faith. People are hurt by the looting and theft of donations committed there. It is having a serious impact on people’s devotion. I demand that the whole truth be revealed,” Gogoi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also launched a sharp attack, saying: “What happened in the court of Lord Shri Ram at Ram Mandir was not a petty theft, like stealing donations or offerings.”
“It is a blow to the soul of this nation of 1.45 billion and to the hearts of millions of Hindus… Small pawns are being arrested, while big fish are left free to dispose of the stolen assets. Why was an FIR not lodged against Champat Rai? He claims he filed a complaint, but to whom? Was this your personal property, or was it a matter of the country and Lord Ram’s temple? One cannot divert attention from that,” she added. Such a major issue or deceiving the public with trivialities.”
Sanjay Raut wonders how to handle the case
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of suppressing voices searching for answers on the matter.
“Ajay Rai is Uttar Pradesh Congress president and a party worker; he is questioning the government regarding issues that arise in people’s minds. Millions of rupees have been looted from the donation fund. Where did they go? Who took them? This BJP has indulged in politics and looting in the name of Ram. Anyone who raises his voice is arrested,” Raut was quoted as saying by PTI.
Amid criticism of the BJP, Karnataka BJP leader C T Ravi said the party has no role in managing the temple trust.
“There is not even a single BJP member in the Ram Mandir fund; we do not know how the donations were misused,” Ravi said while responding to the Karnataka government’s criticism over the issue.
The investigation is entering the next stage
Meanwhile, investigators continued to investigate the financial trail linked to the eight defendants arrested in the case.
On Monday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) examined the financial transactions of the accused and collected bank details from the State Bank of India’s Ayodhya Dham branch, where seven of them maintain accounts.
Investigators are examining deposits and transactions made since the accused joined service at the temple to determine whether any alleged embezzled funds were routed through personal accounts. Notices were also issued to two SBI employees.
As HT reported earlier citing sources, the special investigation team is expected to visit Ayodhya soon as part of the ongoing investigation.
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