Ayodhya temple donation row deepensas BJP neta writes to PM for probe

Ayodhya/Lucknow: Amid allegation of alleged irregularities in donation offered by devotees visiting Ram temple, a BJP functionary from Ayodhya on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister appealing that the entire matter should be probed by a Union law enforcement agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Meanwhile, an unscheduled visit by temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Mishra also indicates that the matter of Ram temple trust’s internal working has escalated.

After writing a letter to the PM on the issue, BJP’s spokesperson in Ayodhya, Rajneesh Singh, said that the Ram temple is the center of faith for crores of Hindus. Devotees coming from across the country and abroad offer donations according to their devotion.

If any financial irregularity in found in the donation then it is not only an economic crime, but also a matter that deeply hurts the religious sentiments of crores of devotees. He said that strict action against the guilty is extremely necessary.

The controversy surfaced on Sunday soon after former chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav raised doubts over the way the donations by devotees at the temple was being managed.

Alleging misappropriation of funds, Yadav said that higher authorities should investigate the issue.

General secretary of the temple trust Champat Rai on Sunday evening said that volunteers and staff members of a prominent public sector bank were involved in the counting of money.

“Nothing noticeable has been brought to our notice so far and the procedure to count the cash is ongoing,” he said.

While office bearers of the Ram temple trust remained tight-lipped, several charges pertaining to wrongful conduct and counting kept surfacing with time.

Chief of the temple construction committee Nripendra Misra visited Ram temple on Tuesday, days before his scheduled visit, leading to speculations. According to Trust members, holding a three-hour long meeting, Misra sought details about the progress of construction work among other things.