Kejriwal Vows Justice in Ram Mandir Theft Case, Rejects 'Political Hindu' Tag
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal has strongly responded to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) criticism over a recent theft at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, asserting that his government will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. The incident, involving the theft of donated items from the under-construction temple, has sparked a political row between the two parties.
The BJP had accused Kejriwal and his party of adopting a 'political Hindu' stance, questioning their commitment to the temple's sanctity. In a press conference on Tuesday, Kejriwal rejected these allegations, stating, 'I am a Hindu by birth and by belief. I do not need any certificate from the BJP on my faith. The theft at the Ram Mandir is a grave crime, and we will not rest until those responsible are hanged.'
The Ram Mandir, a symbol of national importance, has been a focal point of political discourse since the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict. The theft, reported last week, involved the disappearance of gold and silver items donated by devotees. Local police have registered a case and are investigating. Kejriwal's strong words come amid rising tensions between the AAP and BJP ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.
Political analysts note that the exchange highlights the ongoing competition between the two parties to claim the Hindu vote bank. While the BJP emphasizes its role in building the temple, the AAP seeks to portray itself as equally devoted to Hindu culture without being labelled as 'soft' on issues of faith. Kejriwal's statement appears aimed at countering the BJP's narrative that his party is merely using Hinduism for political gain.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the temple construction, has appealed for calm and urged political parties not to politicise the incident. Trust officials confirmed that security around the temple premises has been tightened. Meanwhile, the BJP has reiterated its demand for a thorough investigation and criticized the Kejriwal government in Delhi for failing to ensure law and order.
This incident is the latest in a series of clashes between the AAP and BJP over religious and cultural issues. Last year, the two parties sparred over the celebration of Diwali and Hanuman Jayanti. As the elections draw closer, such confrontations are expected to intensify.
