New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has broken its silence on the Ram Temple donation theft case, with general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale calling the alleged embezzlement of devotees’ contributions “condemnable” and urging “Hindu society” to show patience and restraint.
“The unfortunate incident of theft involving the funds collected in the donation boxes at the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya has hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees; we are all deeply pained by this event,” Hosabale said, adding that anyone found guilty should face severe punishment.
The Sangh, which is the BJP’s ideological fountainhead, also urged Hindus to “thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces”, which it said is aimed at maligning Hindu religion by exploiting this incident.
The Ram Temple donation theft controversy surfaced on 7 June, triggering widespread outrage that prompted the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The team was tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days. An FIR was lodged and eight people have been arrested so far. The SIT, meanwhile, has expanded the scope of its probe and is looking into the assets of the accused.
“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also calls upon the entire Hindu society to demonstrate necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu religion and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident,” Hosabale said in a statement Friday.
The statement further said that the temple constructed on Ram Janmabhoomi (the birthplace of Ram) has become a centre of reverence, faith, and devotion for Hindu society, owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores of Ram devotees.
The RSS further said that the UP government constituted the SIT at the “earnest request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust”, and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations. The trust, an autonomous body constituted by the central government, manages temple affairs, and is currently under the scanner of the SIT.
“The RSS, along with the entire Hindu society, naturally expects the Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an extraordinary matter and take serious, effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in management and operations. This is crucial to ensure that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remain unbroken and steadfast,” the Sangh’s statement read.
The RSS general secretary added: “In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-constituted SIT to take all necessary initiatives. We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity, and true religiosity, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society.”
Last week, Alok Kumar, chief of the RSS affiliate Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), had also issued a statement saying Hindus were hurt over the controversy and demanding a fast-track investigation along with the appointment of a chief executive officer (CEO) to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Ram Mandir.
The Ayodhya Bar Association, meanwhile, has submitted a complaint to the police, demanding action against Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and administrator Gopal Rao in connection with the alleged donation theft.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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The solution is, professional management of the temple.
Nefarious forces are obviously trying to score political points over this.
A few people, who happen to be Hindus, steal from others, who also happen to be Hindus. And yet, it is non-Hindus who are trying to malign Hindus? Logic died a thousand deaths.