Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, escalated his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Ram Temple project in Ayodhya, alleging a chain of irregularities stretching from donations to land acquisition and, most recently, the disappearance of what he described as billions of rupees worth of sacred Shri Ram shilas (Ram stones).

Context

In his post, Akhilesh Yadav wrote: 'Aage-aage dekhiye hota hai kya… chadhaave se baat chande tak pahunchi aur chande se zameen tak aur zameen se ati bahumoolya arbon rupyon ki Shri Ram shilaon ke gayab hone tak.' Translated: 'Watch what happens next… the trail moved from offerings to donations, from donations to land, and from land to the disappearance of invaluable Shri Ram stones worth billions of rupees.'

He further demanded that KYC (Know Your Customer) verification be conducted on the 'unregistered and underground associates' of BJP functionaries linked to the project. He called for a 'deep investigation' into what he termed the 'mahapap-mahaghotalaa' (mega sin-mega scam) in Ayodhya, asking which 'anti-Sanatan gang' was behind it.

Policy Backdrop

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted following the Supreme Court's landmark verdict of November 2019, which awarded the disputed Ayodhya site for construction of the Ram Temple. The trust has since overseen fund collection, land acquisition and construction activity at the site.

The pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Temple was held on 22 January 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest, marking a politically and religiously significant moment for the ruling BJP. Since the trust began operations, opposition parties — particularly the Samajwadi Party — have periodically raised questions over financial transparency, land deals and procurement related to the project.

Stakeholders and Impact

The allegations, if substantiated, would directly implicate the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and BJP-affiliated individuals associated with the temple project. Millions of devotees across India who donated to the Ram Temple fund have a direct stake in the financial accountability of the trust.

For the BJP, which has positioned the Ram Temple as a central political and cultural achievement, any credible allegation of financial mismanagement carries significant electoral risk in Uttar Pradesh. The Samajwadi Party, as the principal opposition in the state, stands to gain political ground by keeping scrutiny on the project alive. Opposition scrutiny of religious and cultural projects has formed a recurring pattern in competitive UP politics, particularly ahead of assembly or general elections.

What's Next

Akhilesh Yadav's demand for a formal, independent investigation puts pressure on both the Uttar Pradesh state government and central agencies to respond. Any formal inquiry by investigative agencies into the trust's finances, land records or procurement processes would mark a significant escalation.

The trust and BJP leadership are yet to respond publicly to this specific set of allegations. Whether the claims regarding missing shilas and associated financial irregularities are taken up by oversight bodies or courts will determine how far this controversy travels beyond the political arena.