Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the RSS over the alleged misappropriation of donations and precious metals at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, accusing the ruling party at the Centre and in the State of Uttar Pradesh of putting ‘Donation First, not Nation First’.
Addressing reporters, Kharge alleged that large quantities of gold, silver and cash donated by devotees had gone missing from the temple trust, describing the controversy as a betrayal of the faith of millions of worshippers. He claimed the alleged irregularities had exposed the BJP’s claims of clean governance and raised serious questions about accountability within the temple administration.
Escalating his attack, Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue, pointing out that the Prime Minister had personally presided over the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol and that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted by the Union government. According to Kharge, 12 of the trust’s 15 members are government nominees.
“Who made those appointments? Modi,” Kharge said, asking why the Prime Minister had remained silent despite allegations that valuables and funds worth crores of rupees had disappeared and trustees had resigned.
The Congress leader also took aim at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing the BJP of attempting to shield those responsible while accusing political opponents of hurting religious sentiments. Kharge argued that if devotees’ faith had been damaged, it was due to the alleged misconduct of those managing the temple and not because of criticism from opposition parties.
Questioning the credibility of the investigation, Kharge alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted without the registration of an FIR. He further claimed that the probe report had been submitted to an IAS officer who also serves as a trustee, despite allegations surrounding the trust itself.
“This is an attempt to cover up the issue,” Kharge alleged, demanding an independent and transparent investigation into the disappearance of donations made by devotees.
In one of his sharpest political barbs, Kharge referred to Prime Minister Modi’s long-standing anti-corruption slogan, ‘Na khaunga, Na khane dunga’, and remarked that recent developments suggested a different message altogether. He alleged that the BJP had failed to uphold its promise of probity and had disappointed those who believed corruption would never occur in matters connected with Lord Ram.
The controversy acquired a fresh political dimension after Kharge claimed that Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had been arrested while attempting to raise the issue, fuelling concerns that facts surrounding the alleged irregularities may never emerge fully.
The BJP has yet to issue a detailed response to Kharge’s latest allegations. The dispute is expected to intensify as opposition parties continue to demand greater transparency in the management of donations made to one of the country’s most significant religious institutions.
