The Ram Temple Foundation on Saturday confirmed that its general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra have tendered their resignations amid allegations of irregularities in donations, adding that a final decision on their decision to step down will be taken in the next meeting.
The statement came amid growing speculation about the future of two senior trust employees after the arrest of eight men – including one of Rai’s aides and two of Mishra’s relatives – linked to the temple management. The police also almost recovered $80 thousand pounds in cash from the homes of the accused.
“Resignations have been received from the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Shri Champat Rai Ji and Trustee Shri Anil Mishra Ji. The Trust will consider this matter in its next meeting,” the Trust’s Treasurer, Govind Dev Giri, said in a statement issued in Hindi.
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Although the trust did not specify when the meeting would be held, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it was scheduled to be held on July 7.
“It’s true they are [Rai and Mishra] They submitted their resignations to the President and Treasurer of the Trust, and took moral responsibility for the Ram Temple donation dispute. The trust will take up the issue at its meeting on July 7, news agency PTI quoted VHP chief Alok Kumar, who is also vice-chairman of VHP, as saying.
Allegations of irregularities in fundraising for the Ram Temple have escalated into a major controversy, leading to political disputes, police action and calls for accountability reform.
In an attempt to reassure worshipers, the foundation said it remains committed to ensuring a fair and transparent investigation. She added: “We are shocked, pained and deeply saddened by the events reported over the past few days… and we assure everyone that we will take measures to prevent any such unfortunate situation from occurring in the future.”
She urged people not to be influenced by “rumours or misinformation” and explained that the sanctity of the temple remains intact.
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“We assure everyone that no irreparable damage has been done to the sanctity of the temple. We request all devotees not to be misled by rumours, misinformation or false propaganda. Such attempts cannot shake Sanatan Dharma, the temple or the faith of millions of devotees,” the statement said.
“The secretariat reassures those bhakts who have personally handed over silver bricks, jewellery, etc….the items are safe and available with proper accounting,” she added.
Meanwhile, Kumar said the theft allegations have shaken people’s confidence in the temple management. “I understand that if the matter is investigated quickly, sentenced in a speedy court, and the guilty are brought to justice in record time, it will be a healing touch,” the agency quoted him as saying.
“I hope that we will now have a CEO-type formation to manage the affairs of the Ram temple along with other trustees,” he added.
The opposition continues to pressure the government
The political row over the issue continued on Saturday as the opposition sought to corner the BJP government. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, “Following reports of theft, the government was forced to bow to pressure and form a special investigation team. However, the fact that the SIT report was submitted to a particular individual raises questions.” The SIT submitted its preliminary report on the case to Sanjay Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), on June 23.
Congress general secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pushed for accountability. “It’s not just money given by big corporations. This is money collected from every citizen. There was a motive to collect it. So who is responsible? If you collect it, it is your responsibility to keep it safe,” she said.
Responding to the opposition’s allegations, BJP spokesperson HC Srivastava said that leaders “like Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra” have no moral right to comment on donations or matters related to the faith of devotees.
“The Special Investigation Team was formed based on a complaint from the Trust itself and not under any external pressure. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath immediately acted on the recommendations of the Special Investigation Team. The Prime Minister assured that no one found guilty will be spared. People should wait until the investigation is completed instead of making politically motivated allegations,” he said.
The controversy first surfaced on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan “Pawan” Pandey claimed the donations were worth… $5 Crores $Rs 7.5 crore has been withdrawn from the temple offerings.
On June 13, the state government set up the Special Investigation Team at the request of the Temple Trust. The committee – comprising Lucknow District Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Lucknow District Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neil Ratan – conducted a preliminary investigation in Ayodhya from June 15 to 20 and observed prima facie irregularities in the handling of cash and valuables offered by devotees.
An FIR has been registered against the eight named accused and other unidentified persons under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 306, 316 (5), 317 (4), 317 (5), 61 and 3 (5), relating to offenses like criminal breach of trust, cheating, theft and criminal conspiracy, along with Section 13 (1) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Those arrested have been identified as Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinu, a close aide of Rai. Avinash Shukla; Anukalp Mishra; Lakush Mishra; Subhash Srivastava; Ramashankar Mishra; Manish Yadav; And Karunesh Pandey. Another person familiar with the matter said that Anukalp Mishra and Lavkush Mishra are linked to each other and also to Anil Mishra.
The police are expected to move the court to seek remand for all eight accused, who are in judicial custody till Monday, to interrogate them in detail about the alleged diversion of donations, trace the trail of funds, confront them with documentary and electronic evidence, and recover additional funds, valuables and other incriminating items believed to be linked to the alleged embezzlement.
