New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday alleged financial irregularities in the functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court into the alleged misuse of donations and land transactions related to the Ram Temple project.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting the faith of devotees and alleged that financial irregularities had taken place during the construction of the Ram Temple.
Tiwari claimed that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya, around ₹112 crore was spent on preparations. He alleged that flowers were procured at several times their market price and that expenditure on chairs was disproportionately high, suggesting that new chairs could have been purchased instead.
The Congress leader further alleged that Prime Minister Modi had personally selected the members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and that several appointments within the temple administration were made from individuals associated with the BJP. He claimed that the Prime Minister could not distance himself from allegations relating to the alleged misuse of temple donations.
Demanding accountability, Tiwari said the BJP was attempting to divert attention from what he described as a “donation scam,” adding that those responsible must be held accountable through an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court.
Questioning the functioning of the Trust, he asked who should be held responsible if financial irregularities had occurred in a body constituted following Supreme Court directions. He also referred to the reported resignations of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, asking why they had stepped down if there had been no wrongdoing.
The Congress MP also levelled allegations regarding land transactions carried out during the construction of the Ram Temple. He claimed that a plot purchased for ₹2 crore was allegedly sold 10 minutes later for ₹18 crore, and further alleged that seven major land deals related to the project involved payments significantly above the notified circle rates.
Tiwari further alleged that saints and seers had been excluded from the Trust while individuals associated with the BJP and RSS had been included. He accused those involved of misusing public donations and claimed that funds collected for the temple had been diverted and improperly utilised. He demanded strict action against anyone found guilty of misappropriating devotees’ contributions.
The Congress leader also asserted that the Ram Temple was constructed following the Supreme Court’s verdict and not because of the BJP. He criticised the timing of the temple’s consecration ceremony, alleging that it was conducted before the completion of construction due to electoral considerations. He further claimed that the country’s Shankaracharyas were not invited to perform the consecration rituals.
Recalling the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Tiwari said he had closely witnessed its developments during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism Minister between 1985 and 1990. He alleged that the BJP had used the Ram Temple issue for political purposes over the years rather than focusing on its construction.
Concluding his remarks, Tiwari alleged that irregularities had begun from the foundation stage of the temple project itself. While stating that he was not accusing every BJP member, he claimed that those allegedly involved in financial wrongdoing were associated with the party.
The BJP and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have not responded to these allegations at the time of filing this report.
