New Delhi: Escalating its attack over the alleged misappropriation of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Congress on Sunday intensified pressure on the Centre after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge jointly wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an independent investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
In their letter dated July 18, the two senior Congress leaders alleged that devotees who contributed to the temple with faith and devotion feel “betrayed” by reports of alleged embezzlement. They questioned the Prime Minister’s continued silence on the issue, stating that it was “unacceptable” given the Centre’s role in constituting the Trust.
The latest development comes amid an ongoing political controversy surrounding allegations of financial irregularities linked to donations received by the Trust responsible for overseeing the construction and management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Congress seeks independent investigation, accountability
In the letter, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge urged the Prime Minister to order an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged theft of donations. According to the Congress leaders, thousands of crores donated by devotees are alleged to have been misappropriated, making it essential to establish accountability and restore public confidence.
The Congress also argued that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted following the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict, with members appointed by the Central government. Therefore, the party said the Centre cannot distance itself from questions regarding transparency in the Trust’s functioning.
Rahul Gandhi and Kharge further maintained that devotees who made donations believing they were contributing to a sacred national project deserve complete transparency regarding the utilisation of those funds.
‘Your silence is unacceptable’: Congress targets PM Modi
The letter directly questioned Prime Minister Modi’s silence over the controversy, with the Congress leaders stating that the Prime Minister had actively associated himself with the Ram Temple project during its construction and consecration.
Calling the silence “unacceptable,” they said the issue concerns not only financial accountability but also the faith of millions of devotees who contributed voluntarily. The Congress maintained that a transparent investigation would help restore public trust and ensure that those responsible, if found guilty, are held accountable under the law.
The party has consistently demanded greater transparency over the alleged donation theft and has indicated that it plans to raise the matter prominently during the upcoming Parliament session.
Why the issue has become politically significant
The Ram Temple donation controversy has evolved into a major political issue ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties argue that because the Ram Temple is a symbol of faith for millions of Indians, any allegation involving donations deserves a fair, credible and independent investigation.
The Congress has repeatedly linked the issue to questions of institutional accountability, while maintaining that the demand is aimed at protecting devotees’ trust rather than targeting religious institutions. On the other hand, the matter remains under investigation by the concerned authorities, and no court has yet established criminal liability regarding the alleged embezzlement. The outcome of ongoing investigations is expected to determine whether further legal or administrative action will follow.