Ram temple funds row: Congress seeks SC-monitored probe, says SIT probe eyewash

Chandigarh: The Congress has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations, stating that the "misappropriation" is an attack on the faith of Hindus and that those who committed it surpassed even Mahmud Ghazni.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday with Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government's formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities was just an eyewash.

Also read: Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking probe into Ram temple donations row on July 13


She said the incident has deeply hurt not only Hindus but also crores of people who have their deep faith in Lord Ram and this has probably never happened in history.

"This is not just a case of fraud, nor merely a matter of crores of rupees being embezzled. It is an attack on the faith of Hindus, a strike against their beliefs. The CBI, under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge, should investigate the entire matter," she said.

The Congress leader said the investigations made by the SIT should be made public.

"Only small fish have been arrested, while the big ones have been spared," she alleged.

Shrinate said those who embezzled the donation funds have "even left Mahmud Ghazni behind and termed the self-appointed custodians of Hindutva a disgrace to the religion". According to history books, Mahmud Ghazni was an invader who led a massive military campaign against the Somnath Temple in Gujarat and looted its wealth.

"BJP and RSS filled the Trust with their members responsible for managing the Lord Ram temple. Why is the progress of the SIT investigation not being made public? Why haven't big fish been caught? Why haven't those in the realm of doubt been caught? Why is the Prime Minister silent on this issue?" she asked.

The Congress leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should break his "silence" on the matter.

She said, "If this was going on for some period and if they did not come to know anything, this then shows the government's incompetence. And if they knew about it and did nothing, then they are also part of the grave sin." People of the country are angry and are demanding answers, she said. "The people of the country are deeply hurt, and the Prime Minister should not stay silent on this issue," she said.

Senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil also spoke to reporters at Haryana Congress headquarters regarding the temple donation funds issue and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe.

Both Shrinate and Gohil demanded dissolution of the temple Trust.

Amid the row, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignations of its general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Friday that the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple has "deeply hurt" the sentiments and faith of the entire society, and called for ensuring that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment.

Two days later, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said he agrees with Hosabale's statement.

The alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light on June 7.

An FIR was registered on June 25 following a preliminary report by the SIT, which was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Eight people associated with the temple's donation and counting process have been arrested in the case, and the investigation is continuing.