The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday questioned the delay in registering an FIR in connection with the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to act promptly despite serious allegations.
Addressing a press conference, TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was “playing with the faith of millions of Hindus” and raised concerns over the manner in which the ongoing investigation is being conducted.
Mahua Moitra questions SIT and Ram Mandir Trust’s role
Mahua Moitra alleged that the same Ram Mandir Trust, under whose watch the alleged theft reportedly occurred, was effectively overseeing the inquiry.
According to her, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report is to be submitted to Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary to the Uttar Pradesh government, who is also a member of the Ram Mandir Trust.
Questioning the delay in police action, Moitra asked why an FIR was not registered when the alleged theft first came to light.
“Who are the eight people arrested? They are merely low-level counting staff, some of whom are reportedly employed by a security agency in Varanasi,” she alleged.
Questions over resignations and alleged financial irregularities
Referring to a meeting held on Monday, Moitra claimed that attendees arrived in luxury vehicles worth around ₹1.5 crore and that the meeting concluded with the acceptance of the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra.
She questioned whether accepting resignations alone was sufficient if senior functionaries were aware of the alleged irregularities.
“If Champat Rai had known about the matter as early as 2021, as Mahipal Singh has claimed, why was no FIR filed then?” she asked.
Moitra further alleged that the controversy involved donations worth more than ₹700 crore.
TMC accuses Yogi Adityanath of political motives
Targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Moitra accused him of adopting a “good cop, bad cop” approach and alleged that the issue was being handled with an eye on the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
She claimed the Chief Minister intended to derive political benefit from the controversy rather than ensuring accountability.
Kirti Azad alleges politicisation of Lord Ram
TMC MP Kirti Azad accused the BJP of politicising Lord Ram for electoral purposes.
“The BJP had no special attachment to Lord Ram before 1979. They politicised Lord Ram and are now looting in his name,” Azad alleged.
He further claimed that several individuals associated with the Ram Mandir Trust belonged to the RSS and the VHP and had been appointed without following proper procedures.
Allegations over trust finances
Azad also questioned the extent of the alleged financial irregularities, stating that the full scale of the controversy remained unknown.
He alleged that devotees had donated money in good faith and referred to earlier allegations made by the head of the Nirmohi Akhara, who had accused the VHP of financial misappropriation amounting to approximately ₹1,400 crore.
