New Delhi: The alleged donations theft at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir continues to dominate political discourse.
The Congress on Sunday attacked the BJP over the scandal, saying that not everyone in the saffron party is a “chanda chor” (donation thief), but all those involved in the theft of donations belong to that party.
According to senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari, the “theft” at the Ram Mandir was not limited to just the donations, it had begun as early as the time of the ‘Shila Pujan’.
“I am not saying that everyone in the BJP is an embezzler, but all those involved in donation theft are in the BJP. The BJP will have to answer for this in the next election, and devotees will give a strong response,” Tiwari said during a press conference.
On the registration of FIRs in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad at Varanasi Kotwali police station here over allegations of hurting religious sentiments, Tiwari said: “Registering cases in BJP-ruled states is nothing new. I do not consider this a crime. Protests have taken place in Parliament before, and what we did was lawful. Our intention was genuine, and such protests have happened in the past as well.”
A day after Yadav, Prasad and Rahul took part in a skit depicting donations theft inside the Parliament premises, a group of seers (sadhus) lodged a criminal complaint against the trio.
Tiwari further alleged that the Central government used construction of Ayodhya Ram Mandir for electoral gains during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He claimed that poll dates coincided with the time of Ram Mandir’s construction.
“The Shankaracharyas were not invited to the consecration ceremony, even though the rituals should have been performed by them. Prime Minister Modi took personal charge of the entire process, and every single member of the temple trust was appointed based on his personal preference,” Tiwari sqid.
“If Modi ji claimed credit for this, how can he absolve himself of the sins committed by the very people whom he entrusted the responsibility to?” Tiwari made the point.
“Answers must be given to the country’s 1.4 billion people. We will take this issue regarding offerings and donations to the public, persist in the fight until the guilty are punished, and raise this matter again in the House on Monday,” Congress party’ deputy leader in Rajya Sabha said.
“The faith and sentiments of crores of people are linked to this; therefore, I demand an impartial investigation by an SIT under the supervision of the Supreme Court and that the guilty be given severe punishment,” he said.