Kejriwal Launches Ram Temple Donation Theft Campaign; BJP Calls It Gimmick

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, launched a nationwide signature campaign on Sunday, July 12, 2026, aimed at demanding stringent punishment for those allegedly involved in the embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The campaign officially commenced after a Sundarkand recital held at Japanese Park in Rohini, Delhi. Kejriwal announced the initiative on Friday, July 10, 2026, calling for public support in urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure accountability in the alleged multi-crore donation fraud. The BJP, through its Delhi president Harsh Malhotra, swiftly criticized Kejriwal's move, labeling the Sundarkand recitation and the subsequent signature campaign as a 'political gimmick.' Malhotra alleged that Kejriwal's actions were designed to bolster his political standing and influence voters in upcoming elections, particularly in states like Punjab. He also questioned the AAP leader's timing, pointing out that similar Sundarkand recitation programs announced by the Delhi government in 2024 were later discontinued. The controversy surrounding the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple escalated significantly in early June 2026. Reports emerged suggesting that crores of rupees donated to the sacred shrine were missing. These allegations were fueled by observable and sudden changes in the lifestyles of some staff members involved in counting donations. These employees, despite earning modest monthly salaries of approximately ₹14,000–20,000, were reportedly found to possess assets worth crores of rupees within a short span. Key individuals named in the ongoing investigation include Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Rajesh Pathak, Ramshankar alias Tinnu Yadav, KD Tiwari, Manish Yadav, Karun, and Ritik Singh. Ramshankar Yadav, an erstwhile auto driver, is now reportedly linked to assets valued at nearly ₹50 crore, encompassing properties like a 70-room hostel, stakes in restaurants, and a luxury SUV. His nephew, Manish Yadav, was allegedly found with ₹36 lakh in cash. Similarly, KD Tiwari, responsible for recording gold and silver ornaments, is accused of acquiring land worth ₹1.5 crore and amassing assets totaling approximately ₹5 crore. The primary whistleblower in this alleged scam was reportedly Mahipal Singh, the former chief accounts officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Singh claimed that a systematic siphoning of funds had been occurring since 2020-21, with cash-counting personnel deliberately recording lower voucher entries than the actual amounts. He also alleged the unauthorized removal of chest-boxes containing gold and silver ornaments without proper accounting. Responding to the gravity of the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14, 2026, following a formal request from the Ram Temple Trust itself. The SIT was tasked with thoroughly examining claims related to temple donations and the financial operations of the trust. Their preliminary findings uncovered blatant violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which included the absence of security guards during the counting process, failure to frisk personnel entering or leaving the counting room, and the non-preservation of CCTV footage of donation counting for the mandated 180 days. Initially, Champat Rai, the then General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, dismissed the allegations, stating that an internal audit was ongoing and nothing significant had been detected. However, as the controversy intensified and the SIT's findings began to emerge, an FIR was registered on June 25, 2026. Subsequently, eight accused individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody for three days on June 26, 2026. Investigations also led to the recovery of nearly ₹80 lakh in cash, along with some foreign currency, from six of the accused. Champat Rai later resigned from his position amidst the deepening crisis. Arvind Kejriwal has vehemently criticized both the central and Uttar Pradesh governments, accusing them of protecting the individuals responsible for the alleged theft. He emphasized that it is the duty of every Sanatan follower to ensure that the culprits face strict punishment and called upon citizens to unite against what he termed the 'Modi government's attempt to save the people responsible for donation theft.' The AAP leader has also raised questions about the BJP's commitment to Sanatan values, suggesting they use Lord Ram's name for political gain without truly adhering to religious principles. The nationwide signature campaign is intended to collect signatures on letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, directly appealing for swift and decisive action against those involved in the alleged financial irregularities. This political confrontation underscores the high stakes involved in issues related to the sacred Ram Temple, which holds immense religious and cultural significance for millions in India, and how any perceived mismanagement of its funds quickly becomes a national political issue.

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