Congress leader KC Venugopal accuses PM Modi of silence over Ayodhya temple donation embezzlement
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday labelled the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as the "biggest loot of a shrine ever seen in India" and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the matter. Speaking to reporters outside the Guruvayoor temple in Thrissur, Kerala, Venugopal said the Congress party will demand an answer from the PM during the upcoming Parliament session.
Allegations of a massive loot affecting crores of devotees
Venugopal contended that the loot has affected crores of believers across the country. He criticised both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for remaining silent. According to Venugopal, only a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh police has been constituted, and its intention is to protect the actual culprits. He insisted that only a Supreme Court-monitored probe can reveal the real perpetrators behind the embezzlement.
Sangh Parivar organisations collected donations for decades
Venugopal claimed that Sangh Parivar organisations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had collected donations from devotees for the last 20 to 25 years in the name of the Ram Temple. He alleged that it is that money and gold which has been looted, and that this was done with the knowledge of temple trust office-bearers appointed under the supervision of the Prime Minister.
BJP and RSS not true believers, says Venugopal
The Congress leader further alleged that the BJP and RSS are "not actual believers" and are only interested in looting in the name of Hindus and dividing people for votes. He termed the embezzlement not just a loot but an attack on the faith of devotees. Venugopal also questioned why the BJP in Kerala has remained silent, suggesting that it indicates a desire to protect the actual culprits.
Similar allegations at Badrinath and Kedarnath temples
Venugopal also claimed that similar allegations of loot have been reported regarding the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. He reiterated that for the Congress, this is not a political issue, unlike the BJP and RSS, which he accused of using gods for their own political purposes.
