The controversy surrounding alleged discrepancies in donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya intensified on Monday, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav dismissing the temple Trust's explanation as inadequate and demanding greater transparency. He also renewed references to reports claiming that four people had been detained in connection with the alleged diversion of crores of rupees contributed by devotees, according to a Times of India report.
The remarks came a day after Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai issued a statement asserting that the Trust's finances are routinely examined through internal audits carried out jointly by Trust representatives and officials of the State Bank of India. Rai had said that the ongoing audit process, which spans several days, had so far not revealed any irregularities.
Unconvinced by the Trust's response, Akhilesh questioned both the content and tone of the statement. “It seems that this is something very routine which happens every week. It is so routine that they don’t think it is noteworthy,” Akhilesh said in a statement. He argued that the issue should be discussed collectively by all members of the Trust rather than being addressed through a routine clarification.
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“The moment all the trustees will sit together, the truth will come out,” Akhilesh said.
Calling the matter one of public faith, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said any doubts regarding temple donations must be addressed transparently because they concern millions of devotees in India and abroad. “The silence maintained by the state govt on the issue was as suspect as the clarification of the temple Trust,” he said.
