‘Larceny Of Ram Temple Donations Is A Matter Of Faith For Millions’
FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs rituals during the opening of the temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya on Jan. 22, 2024 (Press Information Bureau via AP)
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of avoiding Parliament amid demands for a discussion on alleged irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the police action against students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The Congress and other opposition parties continued their protests in both Houses of Parliament, insisting that the government allow a debate on the two issues. Opposition MPs also demonstrated within the Parliament House complex, raising slogans and demanding answers from the Centre.
Kharge attempted to raise the matter in the Rajya Sabha but said he was not permitted to speak.
Later, in a post on X, the Congress president alleged that serious questions had emerged over the alleged misappropriation of donations made to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
“This is a matter of faith for millions of devotees. The formation of this trust was done by the central government, with the announcement made personally by Prime Minister Modi in the House,” Kharge said.
He noted that the Centre had transferred more than 70 acres of land to the trust and that the Prime Minister had attended key milestones of the Ram Temple project, including the bhoomi pujan and the consecration ceremony.
“In such circumstances, the Prime Minister cannot evade responsibility on serious allegations including the theft of offerings. He should tell the House where the ED, CBI, Income Tax and other investigative agencies are?” Kharge said.
He further alleged that those responsible for any wrongdoing should be held accountable.
“Those who loot in the name of Lord Ram should apologise to the entire country and stop misleading the nation,” he said.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Kharge renewed his demand for a structured discussion in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, arguing that only a parliamentary debate would bring clarity on the allegations as well as the police action against students protesting over examination-related issues at Jantar Mantar.
“We want the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the Lok Sabha to allow a discussion in both Houses. If there is a discussion on the Ram Mandir donation theft and the brutality against students, the truth will come out on its own, but for some reason, the government seems panicked,” he said.
Kharge also questioned the absence of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah during the ongoing confrontation between the government and the Opposition.
“On top of that, Home Minister Amit Shah is also not coming to the House. Either they are scared, or by not coming here, they want to insult Parliament,” he alleged.
The remarks came amid continued disruptions in Parliament, with opposition parties pressing for discussions on both issues while the government sought to proceed with legislative business.
The controversy surrounding the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has become a fresh flashpoint between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition, with the Congress demanding answers over the handling of donations made by devotees. At the same time, the Opposition has criticised the police response to students protesting in Delhi, alleging excessive use of force and calling for accountability.
As Parliament witnessed another day of protests and adjournments, the standoff between the Treasury benches and the Opposition showed no signs of easing, with the Congress maintaining that discussions on both matters are essential for transparency and accountability.
