Pathak accuses opposition of opposing Ram temple
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress over allegations of fund theft in the Ram temple construction, asserting that both parties have 'no moral right' to speak on Ayodhya. He described the controversy as 'very unfortunate' and accused the opposition of having 'consistently opposed the Ram temple' and even 'fired bullets' at devotees.
Allegations of fund misappropriation
The remarks come amid a row over alleged irregularities in the collection and utilisation of funds for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The opposition has accused the temple trust of misappropriating crores of rupees donated by devotees. However, Pathak dismissed these claims as baseless and politically motivated.
'Those who opposed the very idea of the Ram temple, who fired bullets at kar sevaks, and who have consistently tried to stall the construction, have no moral right to speak on the temple today,' Pathak said in a statement.
Pathak defends temple trust
The Deputy CM defended the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is overseeing the construction, stating that all donations are being used transparently. He challenged the opposition to provide evidence of any wrongdoing instead of making 'irresponsible allegations.'
'The trust has maintained complete transparency. Every rupee donated by devotees is being accounted for. The opposition should first introspect on their own track record of corruption before leveling such accusations,' Pathak added.
Historical context of opposition to Ram temple
Pathak also reminded the SP and Congress of their historical stance on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He alleged that both parties had 'sided with those who wanted to stop the temple's construction' and had 'used bullets against Hindu devotees' during the 1990s.
The Ram temple in Ayodhya is being built on the site where the Babri Masjid once stood. The Supreme Court in 2019 cleared the way for the construction, handing over the disputed land to a trust. The temple's consecration ceremony is expected to take place in January 2024.
Opposition demands probe
The Samajwadi Party and Congress have demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged fund theft. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had earlier questioned the transparency of the temple trust's finances, while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for a CBI probe.
In response, Pathak said, 'The opposition is only trying to divert attention from their own failures. The people of Uttar Pradesh and the country have rejected their politics of negativity.'
