Nagpur/New Delhi: Breaking its silence over the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday called upon the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to treat the incident as an “extraordinary matter” and undertake comprehensive corrective measures to restore public confidence and safeguard the faith of millions of devotees.
In a statement issued by RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, the Sangh described the alleged theft from the temple’s donation boxes as a “highly condemnable” incident that has deeply hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees across the country. He said the controversy had created confusion and uncertainty, which must now be addressed through transparent action by the temple administration and the government-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
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The statement marks the RSS’s first official response since the controversy surfaced, signalling the organisation’s demand for accountability while distancing itself from the alleged administrative lapses within the temple management.
“The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at the Shri Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees. We are all extremely pained and angered by this event,” Hosabale said in a video message posted on X.
He noted that the grand Ram Temple had become a symbol of the devotion, sacrifice and aspirations of generations of Hindus. Given the temple’s immense religious significance, he said, it was natural for the entire Hindu society, including the RSS, to expect the Trust to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and implement effective reforms to eliminate shortcomings in its functioning.
The RSS welcomed the Uttar Pradesh Government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged theft. Hosabale said legal action had already been initiated on the basis of the SIT’s recommendations and stressed that every individual found guilty should face stringent punishment under the law.
“The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end. We expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives. We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity and true dharmikta, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of Hindu society,” he said.
The RSS also appealed to the Hindu community to remain patient and not allow the controversy to be exploited by what it termed “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” attempting to malign the Hindu faith and society.
“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to exploit this unfortunate incident,” Hosabale added.
The controversy has already led to significant developments within the temple administration. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, resigned from his post after an FIR was registered in connection with the alleged theft. Trustee Anil Mishra also submitted his resignation. The Trust has stated that a decision on their resignations will be taken at its next meeting.
So far, eight persons have been arrested in the case. They have been identified as Avinash Shukla, Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav and Subhash Srivastava.
According to investigators, Tinnu Yadav had been working as Champat Rai’s driver, while Subhash Srivastava, a retired bank employee, was responsible for supervising donation-counting shifts. The remaining accused were allegedly engaged in counting cash offerings received at the temple.
Officials probing the case have indicated that Rai and Mishra, being key functionaries of the Trust, were acquainted with all eight accused, a factor that has intensified scrutiny of the temple’s administrative mechanisms.
The RSS statement assumes considerable significance because of the organisation’s historic role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. For decades, the Sangh and its affiliated organisations spearheaded nationwide campaigns supporting the construction of the Ram Temple, which eventually culminated in the temple’s establishment following a prolonged legal, political and social movement.
Given this long-standing association, the alleged theft of devotees’ donations has cast a shadow not only on the Trust but also on organisations linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The RSS’s intervention is therefore being viewed as an attempt to reinforce its commitment to accountability, transparency and institutional reforms while reassuring millions of devotees that the sanctity and credibility of the temple will be preserved.
The SIT continues its investigation into the alleged embezzlement, while authorities are examining the functioning of the temple’s donation management system and the role played by those entrusted with handling devotees’ offerings.
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