Congress, AAP allege cover-up in Ram Temple donations probe, demand Supreme Court-monitored inquiry

The Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have accused the government of shielding influential individuals in connection with an alleged misappropriation of funds donated for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Both parties have called for a high-level investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described the matter as a 'Ram Temple chanda chori mega scandal'. He noted that the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established by the central government after the Supreme Court, in its 2020 judgment, entrusted public land to it for the temple's construction. 'It is the moral responsibility of the Government of India, and you as its head, to restore the faith of over 1.4 billion Indians in the government's intent and ability to safeguard donations and preserve the sanctity of an institution established in the name of Lord Ram,' Venugopal wrote.

Venugopal also criticised the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government, calling it an 'eyewash' that focuses on 'small fish' while ignoring the alleged involvement of top officials.

Separately, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference and claimed that only 'pawns' have been arrested while 'powerful' individuals are being protected. 'They are hoodwinking us with the arrest of eight persons; the real culprits are someone else. I want to ask the Prime Minister who he is saving and why?' Kejriwal said. He pointed out that the office bearers of the Trust were selected by the Prime Minister and that a Union Home Ministry official is also a member of the Trust.

Both parties have demanded a transparent investigation to restore public confidence in the temple fund management. No official response from the government or the Trust has been reported so far.