Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday, 7 June alleged that crores of rupees from offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, have gone missing, and urged the judiciary to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. The allegation has sparked a fresh political flashpoint around one of India's most high-profile religious sites.

What Yadav Alleged

In a post on social media platform X, Yadav described the reported shortfall as “an extremely sensitive piece of news for devotees of Lord Ram across the entire world.” He called the situation “utterly shameful” for the temple trust and noted that “no one is coming forward to offer any explanation.”

Yadav further said “the government’s silence is suspicious” and argued that judicial intervention was necessary “as this is directly linked to the deep faith in Lord Ram held by the entire Sanatan society at a global level.”

Background: Temple Finances and Construction

The Ram Temple project has attracted massive public donations. Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra had previously stated that the public donated more than ₹3,000 crore for the temple’s construction, while the total project cost is estimated at approximately ₹1,800 crore.

The idol of Ram Lalla was installed at the temple in January 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the ceremonial flag on the shikhara of the Ram Temple in November 2025, marking the traditional sacred day of Lord Ram’s wedding.

Compliance Review Still Underway

In March, Mishra had told reporters that the Construction Committee’s review was focused on vendor payments and building documentation. “The current review focusses on whether vendor payments have been made and if all required building documents have been submitted to the trust. There are nearly 50 such issues under review. The goal is to ensure that all questions are properly answered and compliance is achieved by the end of April,” he had said.

Mishra had also confirmed at that time that the physical construction of the Ram Temple had been completed.

Political and Legal Implications

Yadav’s allegation comes at a politically charged moment. The Ram Temple has been a central symbol in national politics, and any suggestion of financial irregularity is likely to reverberate beyond Uttar Pradesh. As of the time of this report, neither the temple trust nor the government had issued a formal response to the SP chief’s claims.

The matter could gain traction if any court decides to examine it independently. Whether the allegations are borne out by an audit or formal inquiry remains to be seen.