Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray on Saturday said that even temples were not safe these days, and claimed that Rs 18 crore were being stolen every year at the famous Siddhivinayak temple here.
Speaking at a programme organised by his party’s student wing, Thackeray also alleged that Rs 1,400 crore had been stolen at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on this issue, he demanded.
Frustrated youths visit temples, but even temples are not safe from corruption, the MNS chief said.
Reading out a letter written by eight trustees to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thackeray said some employees who stole money from the donation box at the Siddhivinayak Temple were caught due to the alertness of the trustees.
The temple’s weekly earnings from donations were less than Rs 50 lakh before this theft was caught, and afterwards the collection rose to Rs 1.5 crore, Thackeray said.
“Every year, Rs 18 crore was being stolen,” Thackeray alleged.
Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and a leader of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, told reporters that nine employees were arrested in this connection.
“We have filed cases wherever required,” he told reporters.
The rise in donations was due to the efforts taken by the trust, Sarvankar said, adding that the temple’s income has increased from Rs 114 crore two years ago to Rs 182 crore. PTI PR KRK
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