Congress Demands Answers on Ram Mandir Fund Allegations
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of maintaining a deliberate silence over the alleged theft of funds meant for the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya. Ramesh asserted that the prime minister and Home Minister Amit Shah must break their silence on the issue, which he termed as a serious matter of public concern.
Ramesh's Accusations: 'Vote Chori, Seat Chori, Chanda Chori'
Speaking to reporters, Ramesh alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was involved in a three-fold theft: 'vote chori' (vote theft), 'seat chori' (seat theft), and 'chanda chori' (donation theft). He specifically pointed to the Ram Mandir fund controversy, where crores of rupees collected from devotees for the temple construction are reportedly missing. According to Ramesh, the BJP has been using religious sentiments to collect donations but has failed to account for the funds transparently.
PM Modi's Silence Questioned
Ramesh questioned why PM Modi, who often speaks on issues of national importance, has not uttered a single word on the alleged misappropriation of funds. 'The prime minister remains silent when crores of rupees donated by devotees for the Ram Mandir are stolen. This is a betrayal of the faith of millions of Hindus,' Ramesh said. He demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the government to make all financial details of the temple trust public.
BJP's Response and Counterclaims
The BJP has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the Congress was trying to divert attention from its own failures. 'The Ram Mandir construction is being carried out with complete transparency. The Congress is making false accusations because they have no issues to raise,' Patra said. He also accused the Congress of insulting Hindu sentiments by questioning the temple fund management.
Previous Controversies and Demands for Audit
This is not the first time the Ram Mandir fund has been under scrutiny. In 2024, a whistleblower claimed that large sums of money collected through donation drives were not properly accounted for. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the construction, has denied any wrongdoing. However, opposition parties have repeatedly called for a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the funds. Ramesh reiterated this demand, saying that the trust must be held accountable to the public.
Political Fallout and Next Steps
The Congress's attack comes ahead of the upcoming state elections, where the Ram Mandir is expected to be a key issue. By raising the fund theft allegations, the opposition hopes to dent the BJP's credibility on its flagship project. Ramesh said that the Congress would continue to raise the issue in Parliament and on the streets until the government responds. 'We will not let this go. The people of India deserve to know where their money went,' he added.
