Lucknow: Awadhesh Prasad, Samajwadi Party MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad constituency—under which Ayodhya falls—has demanded a high court-monitored investigation into the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple. In an interview with ThePrint, Prasad said that an independent probe is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe could be influenced by the government.
“Many are talking about involving the ED, but I believe the court should intervene in such a big scam. In SIT probes, sometimes the government could influence the probe,” he said.
The MP added that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would visit the temple in Ayodhya before the 2027 state assembly elections. Yadav’s visit would counter what he described as the BJP’s “negative propaganda” surrounding the issue, he remarked.
“Akhilesh ji will soon visit Ram Lalla’s temple along with family, once his Etawah Temple is completed. He is building a large temple to Lord Shiva in Etawah. Before the 2027 polls, he is likely to visit the Ram Temple,” Prasad told ThePrint.
During the conversation, Prasad avoided naming any trust functionary as an accused in the row, which has emerged as one of the most significant challenges faced by the Ram Temple administration since the temple’s inauguration.
“The entire country knows who was responsible. There is no need for me to name anyone. The facts have already come out. They want to shield those responsible. In that sense, the Bharatiya Janata Party itself is in a dilemma,” he said. “We do not have access to the records. Only those managing the trust know the exact figures, but a proper and transparent investigation will reveal the truth.”
The Ram Temple donation theft controversy surfaced early last month, triggering widespread outrage that prompted the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government to constitute a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on 13 June. The probe is underway.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the SIT’s preliminary findings indicate that theft did occur within the trust’s donation-handling system. The SIT investigation has reportedly led to the recovery of almost Rs 2 crore in cash.
So far, the UP Police have arrested eight individuals named in an FIR. Among them is Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, who is said to be a close aide of Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. The other accused are members of the temple’s cash collection and counting team.
Also Read: Ayodhya probe widens: SIT extends scrutiny from donation theft to Ram Temple Trust land deals
‘Not only chanda chori, but dacoity’
Prasad claimed that the controversy over the alleged misappropriation of donations was not merely a case of theft.
“This is not merely a case of donation theft. It is nothing short of a robbery. Donations started pouring in even before the temple was built. Devotees from every corner of the country, whose faith in Lord Ram is immense, contributed generously. They donated silver bricks, gold, diamonds, cash and many other valuables,” he said.
“After the consecration of the temple, lakhs of devotees began visiting every day. On some occasions, the number even touched 10 lakh. People from different states, districts, and cities came to offer prayers before Lord Ram and made offerings in large numbers. These offerings are not worth lakhs, but crores of rupees.”
Many SP leaders, including Prasad, have been releasing daily statements since Akhilesh Yadav’s post on the issue on social media platform X on 7 June. But they give credit to Yadav for raising the issue first.
“Our leader, Akhilesh Yadav, exposed this alleged scam, and since then, the issue has been under discussion. However, instead of fixing accountability, the government is trying to protect those who were responsible for safeguarding the donations and offerings,” he said.
When asked who had given inputs to Akhilesh before the first X post, Prasad replied that many local people shared information, not one.
“As a local MP, I naturally receive local inputs as well. Such matters cannot remain hidden. If there has been a robbery in the court of Lord Ram, it is not something that can be concealed,” he said.
‘Ram temple trust should learn from Vaishno Devi’
Amid speculation that the structure of the Ram Temple Trust could be changed and a professional CEO may be appointed, Prasad said the Ram Temple trust management system needed to be transparent.
He suggested that trust should learn from the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu & Kashmir. “Whatever system is put in place, it must be completely transparent. Look at other major temples, such as the Vaishno Devi shrine, where the entire process is transparent, and even the counting of donations is visible. The Ram Temple should also have a transparent system,” he said.
“We want justice for the Ram devotees who feel hurt by the Ram Temple donation controversy. They have a right to know what happened to their donations and where the money has gone. The truth must come out, and those responsible should be held accountable.”
‘The issue will hurt BJP in 2027 polls’
According to Prasad, the row will hurt the ruling BJP in the next UP polls, and ultimately benefit the Samajwadi Party.
“Under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav, the PDA alliance will form the government with a decisive majority. We expect to win more than 300 seats, around 325 or 326 MLAs. The people have lost faith in the BJP government,” he said. “Farmers are upset even to get basic fertilisers, youth are unhappy, every section of society is dissatisfied, and now this Ram Temple row. People want this government to go. They are simply waiting for the elections.”
“We are prepared for any situation. We continue to assess the political situation and are ready whenever the elections are announced,” he added.
“Everyone in Ayodhya knows how the BJP administration has treated the local people. The anger against the government was reflected in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Now, after the Ram Temple donation controversy, people are even more upset. The BJP will have to face the consequences of this public anger in the 2027 Assembly elections.”
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
Also Read: Bulldozer threat hangs over Ram Temple theft accused as probe bares luxury homes, donation boxes
These Indi alliance MPs and some nazi-left media are doing just vulture politics. They have no interest in the core problem of theft, all they want is a political benefit.
Akhilesh Yadav did not even attend the Pran Pratishthan ceremony of Ram Mandir. Now they are trying to milk the situation.