Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday intensified his attack on the BJP over the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, claiming the controversy had hurt the sentiments of devotees across the world and weakened confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard public trust. He also dismissed allegations made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, calling them politically motivated.
Akhilesh Claims Temple Controversy Has Global Impact
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Yadav alleged that reports surrounding the alleged misuse of temple donations had reached devotees living in different countries, damaging India’s image and causing disappointment among those who had contributed to the temple.
He further argued that the controversy had gone beyond religious concerns and was now affecting India’s reputation internationally, while questioning the government’s credibility in handling matters of public faith.
Raises Concerns Over Investor Confidence
The Samajwadi Party leader also linked the controversy to the country’s investment climate, alleging that questions over the handling of donations could create doubts among investors.
According to Yadav, if a government faces allegations over protecting religious offerings, it could also face questions regarding its ability to ensure the safety of investments. He accused the BJP government of losing public confidence on religious, political and economic fronts.
Rejects BJP MP’s Allegations
Responding to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s allegation that attempted to associate him with one of the accused in the case, Ramshankar alias Tinnu Yadav, Akhilesh categorically denied any connection.
He alleged that the BJP was relying on individuals with questionable credibility to level false accusations against political opponents and claimed the charges were part of a political campaign rather than based on facts.
SIT Investigation Continues
The controversy emerged after complaints alleging that several expensive donations, including gold and silver offerings made to the Ram Temple, were either missing or not properly recorded.
Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of cash donations.
The developments also led to administrative changes within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Trust accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra and appointed Krishna Mohan as the interim general secretary.
Political Row Intensifies
The alleged donation scam has become the latest flashpoint between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party, with both sides trading allegations over accountability and political motives. While the investigation is ongoing, the issue continues to dominate political discourse in Uttar Pradesh.
