Congress Accuses RSS of 'Unauthorised' Control Over Ram Temple Amid Donation Row

The Congress party has launched a sustained campaign against the management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, following allegations of misappropriation of donations. The party has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the temple's operations.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, said, The BJP-RSS have captured the temple administration in an unauthorised manner. The Congress has held over 50 press conferences across the country in the past four days, calling for action against trust officials with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and RSS backgrounds.

While Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi have not spoken on the issue, the party plans to raise the matter in Parliament during the Monsoon Session starting July 20.

The current campaign marks another shift in the Congress's evolving stance on the Ayodhya issue. Historically, the party's approach has undergone several changes. In 1986, the Rajiv Gandhi government allowed the unlocking of the disputed structure, a move seen as an attempt to appease Hindu sentiment after the Shah Bano case. In 1989, the Congress government in Uttar Pradesh permitted the foundation-laying ceremony adjacent to the disputed site.

After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao condemned the act and dismissed BJP-led state governments, pledging to rebuild the mosque if directed by the courts. The party subsequently defended judicial resolution of the dispute and upheld the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

Following the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict, the Congress welcomed the decision and urged all parties to maintain peace and abide by constitutional values. The party expressed support for the construction of the Ram Temple while reaffirming its commitment to secularism.

The allegations of financial mismanagement at the temple have provided the Congress with an opportunity to frame its criticism around the RSS's influence over the trust. The party's sustained campaign reflects its attempt to recast its narrative on Ayodhya, balancing its historical positions with current political strategies.