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For grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is left with just Rs 2 crore

VHP, whose members run the Nyas, says it had Rs 30 crore but Rs 28 crore was spent on making bricks for Ram temple, and to pay labourers and architects.

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New Delhi: The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, one of the first trusts set up to prepare the groundwork for the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, has been collecting donations since 1989 — but it is left with just Rs 2 crore today.

The VHP-affiliated body had collected Rs 8.25 crore from 6 crore people in a mass donation drive for the construction of the temple, VHP vice-president Champat Rai told ThePrint. That amount, which was kept in a bank, grew to Rs 30 crore.

Of this, Rai said, Rs 28 crore has already been spent on preparatory work.

“Our volunteers have been working at the workshop in Karsevak Puram for the last 30 years to build the temple. Apart from the construction, we have also paid the labourers and architects from that fund,” Rai said. “Now, approximately Rs 2 crore is left in the bank.”

This amount will now be handed over to a trust that will be set up by the central government, in accordance with a Supreme Court order, to oversee the Ram temple construction, said VHP president V.S. Kokje.

There is, however, no clarity on either the contours of the trust or the role of the Nyas in it. But Kokje said the VHP is ready to facilitate the trust in any way possible to ensure that the temple is constructed on time.  

“If the trust does not reach out to us, we will hand over the fund remaining with the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas,” Kokje said.  

The Nyas, which was set up by members of the VHP in December 1985, has already prepared the design of the temple.

The Supreme Court, in November 2019, had given the central government three months to set up the trust, but discussions are still on among a team of experts in the Ministry of Home Affairs over its composition. The decision is likely to be taken soon, said officials familiar with the developments.


Also read: If Ayodhya’s Ram temple trust is based on Gujarat’s Somnath, here’s what it could look like


‘Not a single dollar or euro in the collections’

In 1989, the cost of the Ram temple was estimated to be Rs 30 crore.

“It has increased many times since then. We have not yet come up with a new estimate… Had we got the land, it would have been different,” Rai said.

In its collection drive, the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas had asked people to donate between Rs 1.25 and Rs 10.

Rai said the money that was collected, or is being received even today, does not include a single dollar, euro or any other currency.

“This collection does not have any foreign money. All is India’s money and was in Indian banks. We did not take any dollar nor did we put the money in a foreign bank. That is because this money has been collected for India’s cause,” he said.

Hundreds of boulders in red sandstone with intricate carvings, along with designed wooden panels that have fine detailing and ‘Jai Shree Ram’ embossed on each brick, have already been readied.

VHP volunteers working on the construction of the temple told ThePrint that of the two levels that the temple will have, the first has been completed, while work on the second level has begun.

A model of the proposed Ram Mandir has also been placed at the entry point of the workshop, where over 200 labourers work for nine hours every day to complete the construction.

The temple, which will have 424 carved pillars each measuring 16 feet, carved ceilings and a special throne for Ram Lalla, will also have a special area called the ‘Ram Katha Kunj’ — showcasing the entire life story of Lord Ram from birth.


Also read: A Dalit laid first brick for Ram Mandir. Now, Modi must appoint a Dalit woman as its priest


‘Ready for another nationwide donation drive’

VHP president Kokje said the organisation is waiting for the SC-mandated trust to be formed.

“Once it is set up, we will approach the trust and offer to collect donations for construction of the temple. We will appeal to the public to donate money,” Kokje said.

Another VHP functionary, who did not want to be named, said it will be very difficult for the trust to collect the money on its own. “We have the cadre and can easily drum up support.”

In its donation drive in 1989, VHP volunteers had gone to over 2,75,000 villages, localities, temple towns and visited over 6 crore households.

“Right now, we have approximately Rs 2 crore. If we are asked by the trust that will be set up by the government to build the temple, then we will turn to the nation and give a call for a collection drive. But, right now, we do not really know who will be in the trust, what sort of role we will have with that trust,” Rai said.


Also read: Nirmohi Akhara files Ayodhya review plea, wants clarity on role in Ram temple construction


 

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5 COMMENTS

  1. SIR, WHAT HAPPENED TO RS.300 CRORES COLLECTED FOR BUILDING OF RAM TEMPLE, SENT BY USA INDIANS IN THE TIME OF PRIME MINISTER CHANDRASEKAR. IT WAS A TRANSACTION THROUGH RESERVE BANK OF INDIA. CAN KINDLY GIVE US WHERE THE MONEY GONE. WE ALSO HAD A HUGE COLLECTION FROM INDIANS. WHERE THESE MONEY GONE? (nov 1990 to june 1992) How some one swallow money paid to build god. Now there is a claim that one 30 crores is there and 28 crores already spent.

  2. We need a help for renovation of dilopidated shree ram mandir at Shajapur city in Madhya Pradesh so we request for help to develop ram mandir . If any trust are any person who wants to build it then contact us.
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