Maharashtra: Kanhaiya Kumar Seeks SC-Monitored Probe Into Ram Temple Donation Row
The Congress leader also alleged that BJP and RSS leaders were defending the alleged wrongdoing: Reports
MUMBAI: Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged irregularities involving donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, calling them a “betrayal of the faith of devotees”. He also sought the immediate dismissal of the Ram Temple trust and stringent action against those found guilty.
Mr. Kumar, who was in Mumbai, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were exploiting Hinduism for political gain and had nothing to do with the religion.
Claiming that the BJP and the RSS believed only in “Nathuram” and not Lord Ram, Mr. Kumar alleged that devotees had donated money, gold and silver out of faith, but that those offerings had been misappropriated. “Crores of rupees meant for Lord Ram have allegedly been stolen, amounting to a betrayal of the faith of devotees,” he said.
Describing the alleged misappropriation of cash, gold and silver donated by devotees as a “serious crime”, Mr. Kumar added, “We do not want to indulge in politics in the name of religion, but this is a matter of faith for millions of devotees.”
The Congress leader also alleged that BJP and RSS leaders were defending the alleged wrongdoing. According to him, they had made statements such as, “Donate and then forget about it”, “No one has the right to question the funds donated to Lord Ram”, and “It was donated by Hindus and taken by Hindus”.
Mr. Kumar also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the controversy, saying that while the Prime Minister had taken credit during the Ram Temple consecration, he had remained silent after the allegations emerged.
