Ram Temple Donation Scam: RSS Demands Action, Trust Officials Resign

The alleged theft of donations from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Temple in Ayodhya has deeply perturbed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has issued a strong statement condemning the incident. RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale expressed the organization's profound pain and anger, calling for strict punishment for those found guilty and urging the Hindu community to maintain unity against "anti-Hindu and anti-national forces" attempting to exploit the situation. He emphasized the need for the Ram Mandir Trust to take effective corrective measures to restore public faith, which has been severely hurt by the developments. The controversy escalated in early June 2026 when reports emerged about alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations. Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13, 2026, to probe the alleged misappropriation of funds. The SIT's preliminary investigation reportedly revealed large-scale anomalies and irregularities, prompting a decision to re-audit the Trust's accounts for the past five years. This comprehensive audit will scrutinize both construction-related expenditures and donations, including valuable items like jewellery, gold, and silver. The SIT has been granted a 15-day extension until July 15 to expand the scope of its investigation, examining financial records, digital evidence, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies. As of early July 2026, eight individuals associated with the temple's donation-counting process have been arrested in connection with the scam. Police have made significant recoveries, including over Rs 77 lakh in cash, approximately 11 grams of gold, 375 grams of silver, and USD 1,121 from the accused. A crucial piece of evidence recovered is a donation chest labeled "Ramrajya Kosh" with a QR code for digital payments, seized from the residence of accused Avinash Shukla. This suggests a potential unauthorized donation collection system. Investigators believe the accused systematically siphoned off cash, even using temple washrooms to stash stolen bundles before sneaking them out in small batches. Amidst mounting pressure and public scrutiny, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra tendered their resignations, citing moral responsibility. The Trust's treasurer, Swami Govind Giri, confirmed their resignations, stating that a decision on them would be taken at the next Trust meeting scheduled for July 6 or 7, 2026. The Trust has assured devotees of a fair investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparent financial management. Opposition parties, particularly the Indian National Congress, have heavily criticized the handling of the case. They have demanded the immediate dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into its functioning and financial transactions. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Ragini Nayak, have questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the matter, arguing that having taken full credit for the temple's construction, he must also take responsibility for the alleged theft. They allege that only lower-level employees have been arrested, while more influential figures are being shielded. The Congress also demanded a public accounting of the nearly ₹1,400 crore collected in donations before the Trust's formation. The ongoing investigation has revealed vulnerabilities in the temple's surveillance system, with reports suggesting that CCTV footage was automatically erased after 45 days, hindering the SIT's ability to examine older recordings. The case has raised wider questions about the management of donations at major Indian temples and the need for robust oversight mechanisms.

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