Opposition parties on Friday, 26 June alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government is protecting powerful figures implicated in the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, as the controversy deepened following an FIR against eight individuals and the resignations of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra.

Kejriwal Visits Ayodhya, Calls FIR a Sham

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, speaking to reporters after visiting the Ram Temple, said the investigation was being manipulated by those it should target. 'The very people who committed the theft have to take action in the matter. Obviously, they will not act against themselves. They are trying to completely shield themselves,' he said.

Kejriwal further alleged that both the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the FIR were superficial exercises. 'A fake Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted, and now a fake FIR has been registered. In that fake FIR, only eight small pawns have been made accused. There are no big names in it,' he added.

Congress Calls It Historic Temple Scam, Demands More Accused

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh claimed this was the first instance in India's history of a 'scam' involving donations made at a temple. Referring to Champat Rai's resignation, Singh said: 'Just resigning won't work. Champat Rai had the entire responsibility to look over the functioning, but people close to him are involved in the irregularities.' He demanded that both Rai and Anil Mishra be named as accused and face formal charges.

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla described the alleged embezzlement as a 'betrayal' and called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe. 'If such an act has been taking place for a long time despite the presence of CCTV cameras, then big names must be involved in it,' Shukla said.

Left, SP Demand Judicial Probe and CM's Accountability

Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D. Raja took aim at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing the latter's stated 'zero tolerance for corruption.' 'He should be truthful to the people, to the country and to Lord Ram, in whom he believes,' Raja said, adding that the CPI has demanded a high-level judicial inquiry and that 'what has surfaced today is just the tip of the iceberg.'

Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Ravidas Mehrotra alleged that Champat Rai — whom he called the 'main accused' — was deliberately excluded from the FIR. 'The government is trying to protect him,' Mehrotra said, also demanding the resignation of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

TMC Flags Missing Gold, Cash and Audit Failures

All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra alleged that crores of rupees in donations lacked an audit trail or receipt, and that auditors had flagged concerns as far back as 2020. 'Multiple kilos of gold, silver, ₹200 crore of cash, padukas, and the necklace of the Lord are also missing,' she said, adding that millions of Hindu devotees had placed their faith in the temple and the government owed them answers.

What Comes Next

With multiple opposition parties demanding either a Supreme Court-monitored or high-level judicial inquiry, pressure on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh is mounting. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra have not quieted calls for their formal prosecution. Whether the current SIT investigation is expanded — or replaced by a court-supervised probe — is likely to become a flashpoint in the coming days.