The Crossbill Team
Days before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress on Sunday (19 July) stepped up its attack on the Narendra Modi government over the alleged embezzlement of donation funds at the Ayodhya Ram temple, with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an “independent and comprehensive” investigation into the affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
In the letter dated July 18, the two opposition leaders alleged that lakhs of devotees who had donated to the temple in good faith now felt cheated and questioned the Prime Minister’s silence over the controversy.
They urged him to ensure accountability and restitution, asserting that the credibility of both the government and the Trust depended on transparent action.
“Our joint letter to PM Modi demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” Kharge posted on X on Sunday, sharing the letter.
Subsequently, Gandhi also shared the letter saying the “credibility of your government now depends on your actions”.
“You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” the letter read.
You announced the formation of the Trust in Parliament on directions of Supreme Court of India, but its members have been solely appointed by your government. It is public knowledge that the members of the Trust are affiliated with the RSS, VHP and its affiliates. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also your close associate. Your silence now in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to ensure accountability and restitution,” the letter added.
Besides demanding a probe into the alleged embezzlement, the Congress leaders called for an investigation into the management of all offerings received by the temple, including cash, gold and silver. They also sought complete transparency in the Trust’s financial records and action against those found responsible.
“The findings and the Trust’s accounts should be made public so that every devotee knows how their offerings have been utilised. All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence. The credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act,” they wrote, adding, “The people of India are watching.”
The letter comes at a time when the Uttar Pradesh Police are already investigating the alleged fraud. An FIR has been registered on the complaint of the temple trust, and eight people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.
Separately, the Nirmohi Akhara, a monastic order of Hindu priests in Ayodhya belonging to the Ramanandi order of the Vaishnavi sect, has approached the Supreme Court with a fresh application seeking the reconstitution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in accordance with the Supreme Court's 2019 Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid title dispute verdict.
In the letter dated July 18, the two opposition leaders alleged that lakhs of devotees who had donated to the temple in good faith now felt cheated and questioned the Prime Minister’s silence over the controversy.
They urged him to ensure accountability and restitution, asserting that the credibility of both the government and the Trust depended on transparent action.
“Our joint letter to PM Modi demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” Kharge posted on X on Sunday, sharing the letter.
Our joint letter to PM Modi demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard- earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the… pic.twitter.com/FxrQA0YDk7
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 19, 2026
Subsequently, Gandhi also shared the letter saying the “credibility of your government now depends on your actions”.
“You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” the letter read.
You announced the formation of the Trust in Parliament on directions of Supreme Court of India, but its members have been solely appointed by your government. It is public knowledge that the members of the Trust are affiliated with the RSS, VHP and its affiliates. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also your close associate. Your silence now in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to ensure accountability and restitution,” the letter added.
Besides demanding a probe into the alleged embezzlement, the Congress leaders called for an investigation into the management of all offerings received by the temple, including cash, gold and silver. They also sought complete transparency in the Trust’s financial records and action against those found responsible.
“The findings and the Trust’s accounts should be made public so that every devotee knows how their offerings have been utilised. All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence. The credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act,” they wrote, adding, “The people of India are watching.”
The letter comes at a time when the Uttar Pradesh Police are already investigating the alleged fraud. An FIR has been registered on the complaint of the temple trust, and eight people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.
Separately, the Nirmohi Akhara, a monastic order of Hindu priests in Ayodhya belonging to the Ramanandi order of the Vaishnavi sect, has approached the Supreme Court with a fresh application seeking the reconstitution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in accordance with the Supreme Court's 2019 Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid title dispute verdict.
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