The row over alleged donation theft at Ayodhyas Ram Temple grew on Tuesday. Ashok Gehlot, a Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister accused the BJP and RSS of “controlling” the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. He demanded a probe.

The Congress party wants answers. They say donations to the Ram Temple were stolen. Gehlot held a press conference in New Delhi. He said the BJP and RSS were trying to “cover up” the theft.

Congress’s Core Allegations

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust should be dissolved now. A new trust should be formed with leaders like Shankaracharyas and saints. All donations to the temple should be made public. Gehlot wants a judge from the Supreme Court to oversee the probe. He said the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government can’t be trusted.

A Call for the Prime Minister to Speak

Gehlot asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the issue. He said the Prime Minister has not said a word about it yet. Gehlot said people feel betrayed. The BJP and RSS led the Ram Temple movement. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader also demanded an accounting of donations.

BJP’s Counter-Response

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit back at the Congress and Samajwadi Party. He said they are critical of the temple administration but silent on land issues. Adityanath said the Samajwadi Party opposed the Ram Temple movement. He recalled past statements from Congress leaders questioning Lord Rams historicity.

The Donation Theft Controversy

The row started when coins worth over Rs 2 lakh were found in a toilet, near the temples donation area. CCTV footage showed employees concealing currency notes.

Former Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai resigned from his position after the allegations surfaced, and is reportedly currently staying in seclusion at Teerth Kshetra Puram near the temple under tight security, with even VHP functionaries said to require prior permission to meet him. Separately, a local court in Ayodhya has granted police remand for some of the eight individuals arrested in connection with the case, as investigators continue gathering evidence through custodial interrogation.

A Politically Charged Investigation

The controversy has increasingly become a flashpoint between India’s ruling and opposition parties, with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also weighing in, alleging that the SIT’s own findings suggested offerings had been subjected to large-scale irregularities after CCTV monitoring was reportedly switched off at points during the donation counting process.

Why This Debate Matters

The SITs investigation continues. Opposition parties want a Supreme Court-monitored probe. The coming weeks will see political debate. Will the Union government or the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust respond to Congresss demands?