Congress demands Supreme Court probe into Ram temple trust over donation allegations
The Congress party has called for the dissolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, citing allegations of stolen donations. The party is demanding a court-monitored investigation and has criticized the RSS's clearance of the trust as inadequate.
The Indian National Congress has escalated its attack on the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, demanding its complete dissolution in response to mounting allegations that the trust has misappropriated public donations. The opposition party has formally called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the controversy, raising serious questions about financial transparency at one of India's most significant religious institutions.
Congress leaders have directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and ensure accountability. The party has characterized the recent clearance provided by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a "shameful" response that fails to address legitimate public concerns. Party representatives emphasized that the allegations have triggered widespread anger among devotees and citizens who made contributions in good faith, believing their donations would be used appropriately for temple operations and religious activities.
The controversy centers on claims that funds donated by pilgrims and religious devotees have gone missing or been diverted from their intended purposes. Congress has framed the issue as a breach of public trust and a failure of institutional governance. The party argues that without an independent, court-supervised investigation, questions about the scale of the alleged financial irregularities and the involvement of trust officials will remain unanswered.
The timing of this demand is significant, as it puts pressure on the government and trust authorities to demonstrate financial accountability at a temple that has symbolized national unity and religious sentiment since the completion of its construction. The Congress's move reflects broader opposition party strategy to challenge governance standards at institutions closely aligned with the ruling BJP and its ideological ally, the RSS.
Prime Minister Modi's office has not yet issued a formal response to Congress's demands. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust management is expected to issue a detailed statement addressing the allegations and the party's calls for investigation. How the government and trust respond to these demands will likely determine whether an independent probe is initiated and what measures are taken to restore public confidence in the institution's financial management.
Source: TOI India
