By Firstdespatch Desk Jun 30, 2026
Agartala, June 30 (FD) The ruling BJP on Tuesday strongly countered allegations made by the Congress over the reported theft of donation money from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, accusing the opposition party of politicising the issue ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, accompanied by Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Asish Kumar Saha, termed the alleged theft of crores of rupees in donations from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir a "shameful chapter" in the country's history.
Roy Barman alleged that the BJP, which he said constituted the Ram Mandir Trust, should be held accountable for the incident.
"The BJP has become so corrupt that money donated by devotees to deities is theft. Those entrusted with managing the temple have been implicated in the theft. While smaller offenders have reportedly been arrested, there should be a Supreme Court-monitored investigation to identify and prosecute those ultimately responsible," he said.
He also expressed suspicion over alleged irregularities in the reconstruction work of the Mata Tripureswari Temple in Udaipur, calling for greater transparency in the execution of the project.
Responding to the Congress allegations, senior BJP leader P.N. Bhattacharjee described the press conference as politically motivated and claimed it was held at the behest of the party's central leadership.
"Yes, we also condemn the theft in the temple and term it as unfortunate. However, the Uttar Pradesh government acted promptly by constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested eight accused. Two senior functionaries have resigned, and the investigation is progressing. The guilty will face prosecution in accordance with the law," Bhattacharjee said.
He questioned why the Congress had remained silent over alleged thefts of gold, silver and cash donations from the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala during the Left Democratic Front government's tenure, alleging that the party was selectively raising issues for political reasons.
Bhattacharjee further accused the Congress of historically opposing the construction of the Ram Temple and attempting to delay the legal resolution of the Ayodhya dispute.
"The Congress leaders even declined to attend the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024, despite receiving invitations. We all know the party's past stand on the Ayodhya issue and its present position appears politically motivated," he claimed.
The BJP leader also referred to historical visits by former Congress leaders to the tomb of Mughal emperor Babur in Kabul, alleging that the party had never shown similar interest in visiting Ayodhya before the construction of the Ram Temple.
The matter of the donation theft is already under investigation by the Uttar Pradesh government, and appropriate legal action is being taken.
“The Congress leaders are politicising the issue that is being dealt with through due process," Bhattacharjee added.
The exchange marks the latest political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress over the handling of the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, with both parties accusing each other of exploiting the issue for political gain. FD JK