RSS meet expresses 'deep anguish' over alleged Ram temple donation theft

RSS leaders asked the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to institute stringent mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of such incidents

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), at the conclusion of its three-day meeting in Karnataka's Belagavi on Sunday, collectively expressed “deep anguish” over the alleged financial irregularities uncovered in the counting of offerings from donation boxes at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple.

 

The RSS leadership asked the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the temple, to ensure such an episode never recurs, warning that it would deeply wound the faith, devotion and sentiments of millions of Ram devotees worldwide.

 

A total of 226 RSS leaders attended the Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak meeting, including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and the leadership of the organisation’s provincial units.

 

 

The RSS, which usually holds a press conference at the end of such a meeting, departed from convention this time. Instead, publicity chief Sunil Ambekar issued a written statement.

 

According to Ambekar, the RSS leadership expressed “strong confidence” that the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) and local police probe, launched at the temple trust’s request, was moving swiftly towards a “decisive turning point”. It also called on the trust to institute “stringent, foolproof” safeguards against any recurrence.

 

The alleged embezzlement of temple donations came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 following a preliminary SIT report. Eight people associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested, and the investigation is continuing. General secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have stepped down from the trust.

 

At its July 6 meeting, the trust constituted a three-member panel to select its first chief executive officer (CEO). It also appointed former Indian Forest Service officer and RSS functionary Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary in place of Rai. The trust will meet again on July 22.

 

The RSS first commented on the controversy on July 3, when Hosabale described the alleged embezzlement as “unfortunate” and said it had “deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees”. He said anyone found guilty should face severe punishment, while noting that the SIT had been constituted at the trust’s request. He also appealed for patience and restraint, urging society not to allow “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” to exploit the episode.

 

The Belagavi meeting also reviewed the RSS’ activities since March and discussed a range of contemporary issues. Alongside preparations for Census 2027 and concerns over demographic imbalance, the leadership expressed concern over rising drug abuse and stressed the need to prioritise anti-addiction initiatives. It also outlined programmes to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas. Punjab, which goes to the Assembly polls early next year, faces a serious drug problem. Sant Ravidas remains a revered religious figure in the state.

 

Separately, Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra said in Ayodhya that the powers and responsibilities of the trust’s first CEO would be defined by the trust. The CEO’s foremost responsibility would be to uphold devotees' faith in the trust while also overseeing its financial management. He said there would be no government interference in the functioning of either the trust or the CEO.

 

The controversy is expected to resonate in Parliament, with the Opposition INDIA bloc preparing to target the Centre during the Monsoon Session, scheduled from July 20 to August 13.

 

The Congress stepped up its attack over the weekend. After holding press conferences at 26 locations on Saturday, it on Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on the issue and said the country would never forgive the BJP and the RSS for what it called a “betrayal of faith”.

 

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s demand for a Supreme Court-supervised independent investigation, a forensic audit, accountability and strict action against those responsible. He alleged that the SIT had acknowledged the daily disappearance of lakhs of rupees in offerings and argued that the alleged theft could not be confined to a handful of employees. The government’s reluctance to act against Rai and other trustees, he claimed, suggested an attempt to shield the real culprits.