The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is at the center of a controversy surrounding missing donations, with allegations of embezzlement and a SIT probe ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government. Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey first raised the issue, claiming that between ₹7 crore and ₹7.5 crore in donations had been stolen or embezzled.
Opposition leaders have sharply attacked the ruling BJP, with Shiv Sena (UBT) comparing the alleged theft to the looting of the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has also criticized the government, questioning why no FIR has been filed despite allegations involving large sums of money.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh has accused opposition leaders of politicizing the issue, saying that they have no attachment to Ram. The controversy remains under investigation, with the UP government's SIT currently examining the allegations after the Trust itself sought an inquiry.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath has defended the decision to order an SIT probe, saying it was constituted at the request of the Trust. He has appealed to anyone possessing documentary evidence to submit it to the SIT and said the probe would 'separate truth from falsehood.'
