Jeweller Seeks Clarity on Silver Donations to Ram Temple
Amidst allegations of fund embezzlement at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Lucknow-based jeweller has raised concerns about the status of silver donations made to the temple. Anurag Rastogi, the north India head of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), stated on Saturday that he is unaware of the current whereabouts of a 3 kg silver lamp he donated anonymously, as well as 39.26 kg of silver contributed by the association.
Details of the Donations
Rastogi explained that he offered the 3 kg silver lamp as an anonymous family donation when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath moved the idol of Ram Lalla to a temporary structure in March 2020. Later, as IBJA's north India head, he proposed that each office-bearer donate 10 grams of silver to be directly incorporated into the temple's foundation during construction. The association subsequently donated 30 silver items weighing 34.64 kg and four silver bricks weighing 4.62 kg ahead of the Bhoomipujan ceremony on August 5, 2020.
Call for Transparency
Rastogi expressed his inability to trace the donated silver, stating, "On behalf of my family, I offered a three-kg silver lamp as an anonymous donation to the Ram temple. Apart from this, in the capacity of north India head of the IBJA, we gave 30 pieces of silver items weighing 34.64 kg and four silver bricks weighing 4.62 kg." He added that he does not know the current status of these items, prompting the association to seek clarity from temple authorities.
The issue comes amid broader scrutiny of the Ram temple's financial management, with calls for greater transparency in the handling of donations. The IBJA's request for information highlights the need for accountability in the temple's operations.
