The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday demanded a thorough investigation and punishment of those found guilty of stealing donations meant for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It urged Hindus to exercise “the necessary patience and restraint to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and nationalist forces who seek to distort Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident.”
“It is necessary to ensure that anyone found guilty after investigation faces severe punishment,” RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said. He described it as normal for the entire Hindu community, including the RSS, the ideological wellspring of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, to expect the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Foundation, which runs the temple, to treat this “highly condemnable incident” as an extraordinary matter.
Hosabali asked the Trust to take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in the temple management and operations. “This is crucial to ensure that the faith and veneration of crores of Ram devotees at the Ayodhya temple remains steadfast and continuous. The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end… In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed independent investigation team [Special Investigation Team] “Taking all necessary initiatives,” Hosabale said in a statement.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an organization affiliated with the RSS, has started the campaign to build a Ram temple. The controversy over stolen donations is seen as a major political crisis for the BJP. The issue will be discussed at the RSS meeting in Karnataka from July 10.
Hosabali described the grand temple at Ayodhya as a center of veneration, faith and devotion for the entire Hindu community, following the generational struggle, devotion, sacrifice and martyrdom of Ram’s devotees. “The unfortunate incident of theft of donation boxes kept at Shri Ram Lala Temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire community and devotees of Ram. We are all hurt and extremely angry.”
The RSS has supported the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to form the Special Investigation Team, in view of the fallout from the alleged irregularities committed by the BJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled early next year.
Hosabale noted that the Uttar Pradesh government formed the special investigation team at the request of the Fund and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations. “It is necessary to ensure that anyone found guilty after investigation faces severe punishment,” Hosabale said.
