Ram Temple

Ram Temple Trust meet to decide fate of top office-bearers on Monday

Controversy over temple donations deepens as the Ram Temple Trust prepares to decide on resignations and internal restructuring

Extremely pained, angered by theft of Ram temple donations, says RSS

In its first statement on the issue, the RSS termed the alleged embezzlement of Ayodhya Ram temple donations "unfortunate" and called for strict punishment for those found guilty

Ram temple row: SIT to re-audit temple trust's accounts of past 5 years

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple here will conduct a re-audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's accounts for the past five years after the preliminary probe indicated large-scale irregularities, sources said on Friday. The re-audit will cover construction-related expenditure as well as jewellery and other gold and silver items received as donations, the sources said. The SIT will carry out a detailed scrutiny of the Trust's financial records for the entire five-year period, the sources said. In another development, the Ayodhya Police questioned key accused Avinash Shukla after taking him into custody. Shukla, who was involved in donation-counting work, was arrested earlier in the case, and a local court on Thursday granted his police custody for 24 hours. Police sources said Shukla, from whose possession the highest cash recovery in the case has been made so far, is facing intensified legal ...

'Farzi Hindus': Kapil Sibal slams BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal on Ram Temple row

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, Bajrang Dal and VHP over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations and dubbed them as "farzi Hindus" who had "looted" Lord Ram. Sibal, a senior advocate, alleged that the organisations sought votes in the name of Lord Ram. In a post on X, Sibal said, "VHP, BJP, Bajrang Dal -- 'Ram ke naam pe vote to leinge, fir Ram ko hi woh looteinge (They will seek votes in the name of Ram and then loot Ram himself)." "Asli Hindu ye kya jaane, ye to farzi Hindu hain (What do they know of real Hindus, they are fake Hindus)," the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. The alleged embezzlement came to light after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its preliminary findings, following which an FIR was registered on June 25. Eight accused were subsequently arrested, and police said nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash, besides some foreign currency, has been recovered so far from s

Ram temple donation row: Notice to accused's wife over illegal construction

The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has served a notice to the wife of Ram temple donation theft accused Lavkush Mishra over the alleged unauthorised construction of a house under her name, as the police intensified their investigation into the alleged embezzlement case, official and police sources said on Thursday. According to ADA sources, the house under construction is located in Banvirpur village in Sohawal tehsil. The land was purchased in the name of Lavkush Mishra's wife, Supriya Mishra, and the construction was undertaken without obtaining the mandatory approval from the development authority. Police sources said investigators also searched Lavkush Mishra's residence on Wednesday and questioned his family members as part of the ongoing probe. Investigators may tighten the legal proceedings against accused Avinash Shukla, from whose possession the highest cash recovery in the case has been made so far, police sources indicated. According to police sources, cash recoveri

Ram temple donation row: Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resign from Trust

The general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, and its member Anil Mishra have tendered their resignation, the Trust said on Saturday and assured that a fair inquiry will be conducted into allegations related to the Ram temple donations. A statement from the temple Trust, issued by its treasurer Govind Dev Giri, said that the Trust has received the two resignations and will take a decision on them at its next meeting on July 11. The Trust said that they are shocked, hurt and deeply saddened by the recent developments and are duty-bound to ensure that a fair inquiry is conducted and the faith of devotees is restored. Eight persons named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya were arrested on Thursday night, according to police.

Congress questions PM's silence, seeks arrests in Ram temple donation row

The Congress on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and demanded the immediate arrest of those behind the "scam". Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Prasad Singh said the investigation of this entire matter should be conducted under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge because the corruption is "deep-rooted". He also demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible in the trust against whom serious allegations have been made, and that the trust be dissolved as it has lost the "people's trust". Singh also alleged that the incident reveals that BJP leaders are not "true Ram bhakts" because they did not maintain Lord Ram's 'maryada' by not ordering an investigation themselves. "The country wants to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on such a big issue... "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should step forward to ensure a fair investigation of t

Ram temple donation row: SIT finds blatant SOP violations, 8 arrested

The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has snowballed into a major controversy, with an SIT probe finding lapses in the shrine's donation management system and eight people associated with the counting of cash and valuables being arrested. Here is a look at what the investigation has found so far: While the details of how the donations were siphoned and exactly how much are still under investigation, the special investigation team (SIT) has pointed to some major lapses in its preliminary report. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) like deploying a security guard during a counting process, frisking of personnel while entering and leaving the counting room, and preserving CCTV footage of the donation-counting process for 180 days were violated, sources said, citing the findings of the report. In violation of rules, Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, the former driver of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, held key

Priyanka Gandhi calls alleged Ram temple donation theft tragic, seeks probe

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday termed the alleged theft of donations collected for the Ram temple in Ayodhya "tragic" and "shameful", and said those responsible for collecting and safeguarding the donations should also be held accountable. Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Wayanad Collectorate, Priyanka demanded that the Uttar Pradesh government conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged incident. "It is really tragic. People from across the country-those who believe and have faith-made donations, and now those donations have reportedly been stolen. I think it is tragic and shameful," she said. She said the government must investigate what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. Priyanka said many people had contributed to the temple as part of a nationwide fundraising drive and that those who collected the donations must also take responsibility. "If people have given, women have given from their savings, from their homes, poor people have given

VHP denies knowledge of Champat Rai's exit as Ram temple trust general secy

PTI repeatedly attempted to contact Rai and Mishra for their response to the reports but they were unavailable

Action began immediately: CM Yogi after arrests in Ram temple donation case

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said action against those accused in the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya began immediately after the SIT submitted its report, asserting that those found guilty would not be spared. Addressing a public meeting in Deoria, Adityanath reiterated his warning against hurting people's faith. "Ayodhya is a symbol of the faith of all of us and of Sanatan Dharma. Do not cast an evil eye on Ayodhya. Learn to uphold the dignity of Lord Ram. We had said an SIT had been constituted and that action would begin as soon as its report was received," Adityanath said, recalling his remarks in Ayodhya on June 19. "The SIT report came and action started immediately. I assure you that, as I had said, we will separate truth from falsehood," he said. The chief minister said no one would be allowed to play with public faith and warned of strict action against anyone found guilty. "Playing with public sentiment i

AAP's Sanjay Singh to submit files to SIT in Ayodhya temple donations probe

Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Sanjay Singh has said that he has been called by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations related to donations and land transactions linked to the Ram temple in Ayodhya and will submit documents to it on Thursday. Singh said the SIT chief, Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, had called him at 11 am on Thursday in connection with the ongoing inquiry. "I had sought time from the SIT and have now been called. I will appear before the SIT tomorrow and submit documents related to the alleged theft of offerings, misappropriation of donations and the alleged land scam," the AAP leader said on Wednesday. He claimed that he possesses several documents connected to the allegations being examined by the SIT and would hand them over to the probe panel. Singh had earlier alleged irregularities in land deals and the handling of donations and offerings linked to the Ram temple, and had sought an independent

Ayodhya Ram temple donation case: SIT submits preliminary report to UP govt

The Special Investigation Team probing allegations of embezzlement of donations given to the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday submitted its preliminary inquiry report to the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said. The preliminary report was submitted by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad. They said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe is still underway and further facts are being gathered. The Uttar Pradesh government had on June 13 constituted the SIT on a request from the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram temple.

Ram temple likely to be complete by April-end; estimated cost ₹1,900 crore

All construction work related to the Ram temple in Ayodhya is expected to be completed by April 30, with the overall cost of the project estimated at around Rs 1,900 crore, Ram Temple Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Mishra said on Saturday. Addressing reporters after the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Ram Temple Construction Committee here, Mishra said that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Consultancy, which are executing key works at the site, will exit the temple complex by April 30 once construction is over. Mishra further informed that directions have been issued to complete all paperwork and bill payment procedures by the same date. "L&T and Tata Consultancy have offered a three-year warranty for all the work carried out by them. For maintenance and upkeep, a small team from both organisations will remain deployed inside the temple complex," he said. He added that after April 30, all agreements with L&T, Tata Consultancy and the State Construction .

Ram temple's foundation, its construction key moments in my life: UP CM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday termed the laying of the foundation of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, its construction and the recent hoisting of the "Dharamdhwaj" as an "important moment" in his life. He also asserted that the BJP will be winning the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, and its preparations are underway. Responding to queries at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi on Saturday, Adityanath said, "I am the first Chief Minister to have served for such a long time in a large state like Uttar Pradesh." He said that it is also associated with him that after working for 5 years, the people have elected them again, which has happened for the first time. "Our government worked from 2017 to 2022, and in 2022, we won again with a thumping majority and formed the government," Adityanath said and added that preparations to win the 2027 assembly elections are on. When asked to list one of his works, which he would term a masterstroke, Aditya

Babri masjid demolition anniversary: Security beefed up in Ayodhya

Ayodhya remained under an extensive security blanket on the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid on Saturday, with no organised political or religious mobilisations -- a sharp contrast to earlier years when rival groups marked the day with symbolic demonstrations. Security personnel were on high alert and carried out checking drives across the holy town, especially around the newly constructed Ram temple, railway station, bus stands and major roads, and other sensitive areas in Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi and Mathura, with mosque-temple disputes, stopping vehicles at multiple checkpoints, verifying IDs and strengthening vigil. "December 6 is always a sensitive date for Ayodhya. This year, we are ensuring no breach of peace or security," said Superintendent of Police (City) Chakrapani Tripathi. He said that strict directives had been issued prohibiting public gatherings or rallies, while hotels had been asked to maintain detailed visitors' records. Bomb squads

India slams Pakistan for remarks on Modi's participation in Ayodhya event

India on Wednesday strongly rejected Pakistan's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation at a ceremony in Ayodhya's Ram temple and said the neighbouring country, with a deeply strained record of repression of minorities, has no moral standing to lecture others. "We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve. As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of its minorities," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others. Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record," he said. Pakistan had criticised Modi's participation at the flag hoisting ceremony at the Ram temple on Tuesday that marked the formal completion of its construction. The Pakistan foreign office expressed "deep concern" over the ceremony and referred to ...

Nation must break free from British-era legacy of 'slave mentality': PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the formal completion of the Ram temple by hoisting the Dharma Dhwaj in Ayodhya, invoking cultural unity, calling for freedom from colonial legacies and later honou

'Centuries-old wounds healing,' says PM Modi on Ayodhya visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the "wounds and pain of centuries are healing" as India marked the formal completion of the Ram temple here, and used the occasion to draw a broader national roadmap aimed at achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. Addressing a gathering after hoisting a saffron flag atop the Ram temple to mark the ceremonial completion of its construction, Modi said the moment symbolised a cultural resurgence for the nation. "Today, the entire nation and the world are immersed in Ram. Centuries-old wounds are healing, centuries-long pain is finding closure, as the resolve that burned for 500 years finally reached its fulfilment," Modi said. Calling the flag-hoisting "a unique and divine moment", the prime minister said the sacred flag atop the Ram temple would stand as a testimony to the fact that "truth ultimately triumphs over falsehood". Congratulating all the Ram devotees and those who contributed to the temple's construction, Modi said ...

Ram Temple flag hoisting honours those who sacrificed their life: RSS chief

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said those who sacrificed their life for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya must be in peace today as the hoisting of the saffron flag atop the shrine marked the formal completion of its construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremonially hoisted the saffron flag atop the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony at the temple, Bhagwat said a flag is always a symbol, and the installation of such a towering flag at the temple had taken considerable time, just as the construction of the temple did. He noted that many people had dreamt of this day and several sacrificed their lives for it. "Their souls must have found peace today," Bhagwat said, recalling the names of some. "Those who worked in the background everyday also dreamt of Ram Mandir, now today that the ritualistic completion is over; the flag of 'Ram Rajya' has been hoisted," he added. "It has taken long to hoist such a tall flag. You all know how long it took to build the