Allegations of missing donations at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple have triggered investigations, court petitions and a fierce political battle ahead of key electoral contests
Our Bureau
Ayodhya / Lucknow / New Delhi
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, one of modern India’s most significant religious and political symbols, has become the centre of a growing controversy after allegations surfaced that crores of rupees in donations were misappropriated. What began as a financial irregularity probe has rapidly escalated into a national political confrontation involving opposition parties, religious organisations, the Uttar Pradesh government and even the Supreme Court.
The controversy stems from allegations made by former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey, who claimed that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations received at the Ram Temple had been misappropriated.
Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 to probe the matter after a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust.
The issue took a dramatic turn this week when a First Information Report (FIR) was officially registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Several individuals, including Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav, were named in the case.
While the filing of the FIR appeared to indicate that authorities were moving forward with the investigation, political leaders quickly seized on the controversy, transforming it into a broader debate about accountability, transparency and the management of one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.
Among the most vocal critics has been Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal. During a visit to Lucknow, he dismissed the SIT investigation as ineffective and accused authorities of attempting to shield influential individuals.
“This SIT has no power to investigate, so this SIT is just a fraud in the eyes of the people. It is a cover-up of the entire matter, and the SIT’s only job is to protect influential people,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal further intensified the controversy by questioning reports that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had allegedly declined to provide financial details sought through official channels. He suggested that the affair raised larger questions about who exercises influence over the temple trust and whether a more powerful investigation was needed.
The opposition’s demands have gone beyond the donation controversy. A fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation and the creation of a Central Bureau of Investigation-led Special Investigation Team to probe alleged financial irregularities, mismanagement and other concerns relating to the temple trust.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has also entered the fray, claiming he possesses evidence relating to an alleged land scam involving properties acquired by the trust. He has promised to present documents to investigators and questioned why action had not been taken earlier.
In a letter to investigators, Singh alleged that several land purchases were made at prices significantly above their market values and accused trust officials of corruption.
However, not everyone agrees with the opposition’s interpretation of events.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), which played a central role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, has called for a thorough investigation but rejected attempts to turn the issue into a political weapon.
VHP International President Alok Kumar welcomed the filing of the FIR and said all accused individuals should be investigated without favour or protection.
“Everyone involved, or those accused, should be investigated. No one should be shielded, no one favored, and no one should be under pressure,” Kumar said.
At the same time, Kumar accused opposition parties of exploiting the controversy for electoral gain ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
“They are running their 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election campaign,” Kumar said, arguing that political parties which had historically opposed the Ram Temple movement were now presenting themselves as defenders of Lord Ram.
The political battle has highlighted the unique position the Ram Temple occupies in Indian public life. The temple is not merely a place of worship; it is the culmination of a decades-long movement that shaped national politics and helped redefine electoral alignments across northern India.
That sensitivity is evident in the reactions of religious leaders. Acharya Himanshu Maharaj of Hindu Dham in Ayodhya warned politicians against turning the controversy into a partisan issue. “The Ram Temple is not a subject of politics; it is a subject of spirituality. If you play politics over the Ram Temple, you will fall into a pit,” he said.
The Acharya defended the Uttar Pradesh government’s handling of the investigation and urged patience until the probe is completed. At the same time, he stressed that anyone found guilty should face punishment, including imprisonment.
With court proceedings, police investigations and political accusations all unfolding simultaneously, a controversy that began with questions about temple donations has evolved into one of the most sensitive political storms in contemporary India.
