New Delhi: A day before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress has stepped up its attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged financial irregularities involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh invoking the Prime Minister’s own statement in Parliament announcing the Trust’s formation to demand that he “break his silence”.
Sharing a joint letter written by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Modi, Ramesh said it was “only appropriate” that the two Leaders of Opposition had sought answers from the Prime Minister on what the Congress has described as the “chanda chori, aastha dhokha (donation theft, betrayal of faith) ” issue.
“In one of his rare token appearances in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, the PM had taken full credit while announcing the establishment of this Trust, which has betrayed the faith and devotion of crores of devotees across the country. Pradhan Mantri Chuppi Todo!” Ramesh wrote in a post on X.
The Congress’s latest attack seeks to place political responsibility squarely on the Prime Minister by revisiting his speech in the Lok Sabha. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute, Modi informed Parliament that the Union Cabinet had approved the creation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to oversee the construction and management of the Ram Temple.
Congress is now arguing that since the Prime Minister publicly announced the Trust’s formation, he cannot remain silent over allegations concerning its functioning, or refuse to take any accountability.
In the joint letter dated 18 July, Gandhi and Kharge alleged that devotees who had donated their hard-earned money for the Ram Temple had been betrayed by the alleged misappropriation of funds.
“You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed,” the letter states.
The two Opposition leaders also reminded the Prime Minister that while the Supreme Court had directed the formation of the Trust, its members had been appointed by the government. They alleged that several members of the Trust were associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliated organisations, and said this made the government answerable towards ensuring transparency and accountability.
Calling Modi’s silence “unacceptable”, Gandhi and Kharge urged him to order an “independent and comprehensive investigation” into the Trust’s financial affairs, including donations received in cash, gold and silver. They also sought the public disclosure of the Trust’s accounts and the findings of the inquiry so that devotees know how their contributions had been utilised. “All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence,” the letter said, adding that “the credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act”.
The Congress is expected to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session beginning Monday.
The BJP and the Prime Minister’s Office had not reacted or responded to Ramesh’s remarks or the joint letter till the time of publication.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)