Congress Demands Supreme Court-Monitored Probe into Ram Temple Donations
The Congress party has called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into alleged irregularities in donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, demanding the dissolution of the trust overseeing the construction. The party alleges financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in the collection and utilization of funds, which reportedly run into thousands of crores.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
Congress spokesperson Pramod Tiwari stated that the trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has not provided a clear account of donations received. "The public has donated generously, but there is no clarity on how the money has been spent. We demand a thorough probe by the Supreme Court to restore public faith," Tiwari said.
The party has also raised questions about the appointment of trustees and the decision-making process within the trust. Congress leaders have pointed to media reports suggesting that a significant portion of donations may have been diverted for purposes other than temple construction.
Trust Defends Its Actions
The trust, however, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. In a statement, it asserted that all donations are accounted for and audited by a reputed firm. "Every rupee donated is being used for the construction of the temple and related activities. The Congress is trying to create confusion," the trust said.
Political Reactions Intensify
The demand has sparked a political firestorm, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of hurting religious sentiments. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "The Congress is unable to digest the construction of the Ram Temple. This is a desperate attempt to derail the project."
Meanwhile, other opposition parties have expressed support for a probe. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have also called for transparency, though they stopped short of demanding the trust's dissolution.
Legal and Procedural Aspects
Legal experts note that dissolving the trust would require a court order, as it was established under the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict. The trust is chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge and includes members from various communities. Any move to dissolve it would likely face legal hurdles.
The Congress has also urged the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit the trust's accounts. However, the trust is not a government entity, making such an audit voluntary unless mandated by the court.
Public Sentiment and Next Steps
Public opinion remains divided. While many devotees trust the temple committee, others echo the Congress's concerns. Devotee Ramesh Gupta said, "We gave our hard-earned money for the temple. We have the right to know how it's being used."
The Congress plans to approach the Supreme Court with a petition seeking a monitored investigation. The party has also called for nationwide protests to press its demands.
