Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has accused the BJP of remaining silent over an alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Mandir, describing the incident as a 'dacoity of Ram Bhakt's sentiments'. Speaking at a Brahmin Shakti Sammelan in Kaithal on Sunday, Surjewala outlined what he called a multi-part scam involving land purchases, construction commissions, and missing offerings.
Allegations of a Multi-Part Scam
Surjewala alleged that the land purchased by the Ram Mandir Trust was involved in multiple scams, with property values increasing 'thousands of times within minutes and hours' before being sold to the trust. He claimed this was a mechanism to siphon off funds. 'The alleged loot, daylight robbery and embezzlement comprise multiple parts,' he said on the sidelines of the event at Sarv Brahmin Dharamshala.
The second part, according to Surjewala, involves commissions of up to 40 per cent in the construction of the Ram Mandir. The third part concerns the alleged siphoning off of gold and silver bricks, jewellery, and offerings donated by devotees. He specifically mentioned a gold 'Ramcharitmanas' gifted by a former Home Secretary and more than 100 silver bricks donated by the Sindhi community as missing items.
Questioning Accountability
Surjewala noted that despite these allegations, only lower-level employees have been named in the FIR, while no senior functionary or trust member has been implicated. He pointed out that the trust was constituted under the directions of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and questioned who should be held responsible. 'I have raised this issue in 2021 and have presented related documents on multiple occasions. Fresh reports have once again brought the matter into focus,' he added.
The Congress MP also criticized the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. 'While people have often heard of exploitation in the name of Lord Ram, allegations of theft and corruption involving donations meant for Lord Ram's temple are deeply disturbing,' Surjewala said. He drew parallels to similar financial irregularities at temples in Vrindavan and Kedarnath, calling for accountability in the management of religious institutions.
Political Allegations Against BJP
Accompanied by his son and Kaithal MLA Aditya Surjewala, the Congress MP accused the BJP of sidelining Brahmin leaders, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. He alleged that the party had neglected and insulted the community despite its historical contribution to the country's leadership. He further claimed that the BJP government in Haryana had repeatedly hurt the sentiments of the Brahmin community through its actions and decisions.
Calling for unity among Brahmins, Surjewala said that a united community would be the strongest response to 'BJP's divisive politics'. The event was organized as a Brahmin Shakti Sammelan, focusing on community issues.
