Ram Mandir donation row: Abu Azmi says big names shielded, small ones targeted
Synopsis
SP MLA Abu Azmi has alleged that the Ram Mandir donation controversy will end with influential figures protected and lower-level individuals punished — directly naming resigned trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra. His remarks raise uncomfortable questions about accountability in the management of one of India's most politically charged religious institutions.
Key Takeaways
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on 26 June alleged that the Ram Mandir donation row will shield powerful figures while targeting smaller ones.
He named Champat Rai and Anil Mishra , both of whom have resigned from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust , and questioned their awareness of alleged irregularities.
Azmi alleged theft from the temple's donation boxes and demanded full public accounting of temple funds.
He accused the BJP of engineering regional party splits to facilitate a favourable Delimitation Bill outcome.
Akhilesh Yadav was praised as a 'true devotee of Ram' for raising the donation controversy publicly.
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on Friday, 26 June launched a sharp attack over the Ram Mandir donation controversy in Mumbai, alleging that influential figures linked to the temple's management are being shielded while lower-level individuals face the brunt of scrutiny. Azmi also accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engineering the breakup of regional parties to ease passage of the Delimitation Bill.
Azmi's Allegations on Ram Mandir Donations
Azmi directly questioned the roles of Champat Rai, who recently resigned as General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and Anil Mishra, who has also stepped down as a temple trustee. He demanded clarity on property purchases made using temple funds and the purpose of the donation boxes installed at the shrine.
He alleged that theft from the temple's donation boxes had occurred and raised pointed questions about whether senior trust officials were aware of the irregularities — suggesting their awareness itself could indicate involvement. 'Big people will be protected, small ones will be trapped,' Azmi said, encapsulating his concern that accountability would fall unevenly.
He called for a fully transparent investigation with public accounting of every rupee donated to the temple, insisting that no one — regardless of stature — should escape scrutiny.
Delimitation Bill and Regional Party Splits
Azmi described attempts to break regional parties as 'unfortunate', alleging that legislators are being poached so that the political landscape becomes easier to reshape ahead of delimitation. He claimed that under the Delimitation Bill, constituency boundaries are being redrawn in a manner designed to entrench the ruling BJP's electoral dominance.
'The political system is being shaped to suit their interests,' he alleged. He urged the public to remain alert to these developments and said that legislators who abandon their parties 'should feel ashamed.'
Akhilesh Yadav Praised as 'True Ram Devotee'
Azmi praised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for raising the Ram Mandir donation issue publicly, calling him a 'true devotee of Ram.' He argued that Yadav's willingness to question the temple management's conduct reflects genuine faith rather than political opportunism.
He also targeted the BJP directly, alleging that 'after the Supreme Court verdict cleared the path for Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, the management has proved unable to handle it properly.' He demanded strict action against all those responsible for temple administration.
Broader Political Context
The Ram Mandir donation controversy has intensified in recent weeks following the resignations of senior trust functionaries Champat Rai and Anil Mishra. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, have seized on the episode to question the BJP's stewardship of the temple — a project that was central to the party's political identity for decades. This comes amid a broader opposition push to highlight governance gaps in institutions perceived as BJP-aligned.
As pressure mounts on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, calls for an independent audit of temple finances are likely to grow louder in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Small ones trapped' is a deliberate echo of a broader opposition narrative about selective accountability. What is notable is that two senior trust officials have already resigned, lending the allegations more than just rhetorical weight. The real test is whether any investigation — if one materialises — reaches the upper rungs of the trust's hierarchy, or stops at the level of functionaries whose departures have already been accepted.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Mandir donation controversy?
The controversy centres on alleged irregularities in the handling of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, including questions about the purpose of donation boxes and property purchases made using temple funds. Two senior trust officials — Champat Rai and Anil Mishra — have resigned amid the row.
What did Abu Azmi allege about the Ram Mandir donation row?
Azmi alleged that influential figures linked to the temple's management would be shielded from accountability while lower-level individuals would face action. He directly questioned the roles of resigned trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, and demanded a transparent investigation with public accounting of all donations.
Who are Champat Rai and Anil Mishra?
Champat Rai served as General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and has recently resigned. Anil Mishra was a trustee of the temple and has also stepped down. Both resignations have drawn scrutiny amid the donation controversy.
What did Azmi say about the Delimitation Bill?
Azmi alleged that regional parties are being broken up deliberately so that the political landscape can be reshaped in a way that favours the BJP under the Delimitation Bill. He claimed constituency boundaries would be redrawn to entrench the ruling party's electoral dominance.
Why did Azmi praise Akhilesh Yadav?
Azmi called Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav a 'true devotee of Ram' for publicly raising the Ram Mandir donation issue. He argued that Yadav's stance reflects genuine faith and demanded accountability from the temple's management.
