Congress Demands Prime Minister Break Silence on Ram Temple Trust Financial Allegations
A day before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress party has intensified its criticism of the Narendra Modi government over alleged financial irregularities within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh invoked the Prime Minister’s own 2020 parliamentary address to demand that he "break his silence" on the matter.
Ramesh shared a joint letter written on July 18 by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ramesh stated it was "only appropriate" for the two opposition leaders to seek answers from the Prime Minister regarding what the party has termed the "chanda chori, aastha dhokha" (donation theft, betrayal of faith) issue.
Opposition Points to 2020 Parliament Announcement
The Congress party is seeking to place political responsibility on the Prime Minister by referencing his speech in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title dispute, Prime Minister Modi had informed Parliament that the Union Cabinet approved the creation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to oversee the construction and management of the Ram Temple.
"In one of his rare token appearances in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, the PM had taken full credit while announcing the establishment of this Trust, which has betrayed the faith and devotion of crores of devotees across the country," Ramesh wrote in a post on X. The Congress argues that because the Prime Minister publicly announced the formation of the Trust, he must remain accountable for its functioning.
Demands for Independent Investigation
In their joint letter, Gandhi and Kharge alleged that devotees who contributed their savings to the temple have been betrayed by the misappropriation of funds. The opposition leaders stated that while the Supreme Court directed the formation of the Trust, its members were appointed by the government. They further alleged that several members of the Trust are associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and affiliated organisations, which they argue makes the government responsible for ensuring transparency.
The letter urged the Prime Minister to order an "independent and comprehensive investigation" into the financial affairs of the Trust, including donations received in cash, gold, and silver. Additionally, they requested the public disclosure of the Trust's accounts and the findings of the inquiry. The Congress is expected to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. At the time of publication, the BJP and the Prime Minister’s Office had not responded to the joint letter or Ramesh's remarks.
