Maharashtra Congress Launches Statewide Protest Over Ram Mandir Donation Theft Allegations

July 7, 2026

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress has announced a statewide protest against the BJP and the RSS over alleged Ram Mandir donation theft and financial irregularities involving donations made by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

The party has alleged that money, gold and silver ornaments donated by devotees have been misappropriated, calling it not just a financial scam but also a betrayal of the faith of millions of Lord Ram devotees.

Congress Alleges Misuse of Ram Mandir Donations

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday claimed that devotees from across the country had donated crores of rupees, besides gold and silver jewellery, to the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

However, Sapkal alleged that these donations were plundered and accused the BJP and the RSS of failing to safeguard the offerings made in the name of Lord Ram.

“This is not just a robbery of money or donations, but a robbery committed in the name of Shri Ram against the faith of millions of devotees,” Sapkal said.

He further stated that the Congress would demand strict punishment for those responsible for the alleged financial irregularities, accusing the BJP and the RSS of allowing Lord Ram’s devotees to be deceived.

Statewide Protest to Begin from Nashik

The Congress leader announced that the statewide agitation will officially begin on Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik.

Following the launch, the party will organise a statewide ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ Satyagraha across all districts from July 9 to July 14.

According to Sapkal, the Satyagraha will be held at Ram, Shiva and Hanuman temples located at district headquarters across Maharashtra.

Prayers to Be Offered During Satyagraha

During the protest programme, Congress workers will offer prayers seeking justice and accountability.

Sapkal said prayers would also be offered asking the deity to “grant sanity and good sense to the deceptive people who have pocketed money in the name of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram.”

The party maintains that the movement is aimed at protecting the sanctity of devotees’ offerings and ensuring transparency in the management of temple donations.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Also Launches ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’

The Congress announcement comes shortly after the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched its statewide ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ on July 5, protesting alleged large-scale financial irregularities and the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.

Party chief Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the agitation at the historic Hanuman Temple in Dadar, Mumbai, where he led a Ram Raksha Maha Aarti alongside party workers and a group of sadhus who had arrived from Ayodhya.

The protest featured the collective chanting of the Ram Raksha Stotra and the Hanuman Chalisa, a programme that the party plans to replicate across districts in Maharashtra.

Demand for Action Against Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders demanded the immediate dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging that proper administrative accountability must be ensured regarding temple funds.

Party MP Sanjay Raut alleged that, apart from cash donations, valuable offerings including gold ornaments, a golden copy of the Ramcharitmanas, and a gold mangalsutra gifted to Mother Sita had also gone missing.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray recalled the Shiv Sena’s association with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saying:

“We are staunch and patriotic Hindus. Hindus are innocent, but they are not fools. If someone loots a temple by taking advantage of our faith, Hindus won’t forgive.”

Political Row Intensifies Over Ram Mandir Donation Theft Allegations

The allegations surrounding the Ram Mandir donation theft have intensified the political battle in Maharashtra, with both the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding accountability over the management of donations made by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

While the opposition has called for strict action against those allegedly responsible, no official findings establishing the alleged theft have been presented publicly at this stage. The issue is expected to remain a major political flashpoint in the coming days as statewide protests continue.