The Congress party has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into alleged irregularities in donations collected for the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya. Addressing a press conference at the Jharkhand Congress headquarters in Ranchi on 11 July 2026, party leader and spokesperson Pankaj Thakare stated that neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor the Uttar Pradesh government has taken responsibility despite the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly uncovering serious financial misconduct.
Allegations of Misappropriation
Thakare alleged that the SIT, constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the collection and utilization of funds for the Ram Temple, has found evidence of significant irregularities. However, he claimed that no action has been taken against those responsible. The Congress leader emphasized the need for an independent probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and accountability.
Political Reactions
The demand comes amid growing political tensions over the management of donations, which reportedly amount to thousands of crores of rupees. The Congress party has accused the ruling BJP of shielding culprits and avoiding a thorough investigation. Thakare questioned why the state government has not made the SIT report public or initiated legal proceedings despite the findings.
In response, BJP spokespersons dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, stating that all donations were handled transparently and that the SIT had not confirmed any wrongdoing. They accused the Congress of attempting to create controversy ahead of upcoming elections.
Background of the Issue
The Ram Temple construction, a flagship project of the BJP-led central government, has attracted massive donations from devotees across India and abroad. The SIT was established in 2024 after media reports suggested discrepancies in fund management. While the temple trust has maintained that all funds are accounted for, opposition parties have repeatedly called for a judicial inquiry.
The Congress party's latest demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe adds pressure on the government, which has already faced scrutiny over other financial matters. The Supreme Court has not yet responded to the request.
