Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe someone's record-breaking visits to Ayodhya. His remarks came shortly after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged political parties to avoid making unfounded statements that could hurt the sentiments of devotees, according to news agency PTI.
Yadav's demand for SIT
An SIT should also be constituted into someone's record-breaking Ayodhya visits, Yadav said in a post on X, without naming anyone. This statement escalates the ongoing political row over alleged misappropriation of funds at the Ram temple.
Adityanath's response
Addressing a gathering in Ayodhya, Adityanath said the three-member SIT set up by the state government to investigate allegations of embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple would uncover the facts. At the trust's request, we have ordered an SIT investigation and I can assure you that this probe will bring the absolute truth to light, the chief minister said.
Background of the controversy
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to examine allegations of misappropriation of donation funds at the temple. The controversy began after Yadav, on June 7, referred to reports claiming that crores of rupees donated at the Ram temple were unaccounted for and called upon the courts to take cognisance of the matter.
Political showdown
Since then, the allegations have sparked a political showdown between the ruling BJP and the opposition, with both sides trading sharp accusations over the issue. The demand for an SIT into Ayodhya visits adds a new dimension to the ongoing political battle.
