Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has alleged that the party did not receive any receipt for the Rs 1 crore it donated to the Ayodhya Ram temple trust. He also claimed that the trust failed to issue a receipt for a silver brick the party had donated.
Allegation of Missing Receipts
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Raut said, "We donated Rs 1 crore and a silver brick to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, but we have not been given any receipt for these contributions. This raises serious questions about transparency." The donation was made in 2021, according to party sources.
Context of the Controversy
The allegation comes amid a row over alleged 'fund theft' related to the Ayodhya temple construction. Reports have emerged that several donors have not received official acknowledgments for their contributions. The trust, however, has denied any wrongdoing.
Raut further stated, "We demand a thorough investigation into the financial management of the trust. If receipts are not being issued, it could indicate a larger scam." He added that the party would take the matter to the appropriate authorities if necessary.
Reactions from the Trust and Government
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has not yet officially responded to Raut's allegations. However, a trust official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "All donations are properly accounted for and receipts are issued. There may be a delay in some cases due to the volume of contributions."
The Uttar Pradesh government has also taken note of the issue. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The government will look into the matter. If any irregularities are found, strict action will be taken."
Political Implications
The controversy has added fuel to the ongoing political tussle between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. Raut has been a vocal critic of the BJP-led central government and the temple trust's management.
Political analysts say the issue could be used by the opposition to question the transparency of the temple construction, which is a flagship project of the Modi government. The Ram temple in Ayodhya is scheduled to be inaugurated in January 2024.
