Congress demands Supreme Court probe into Ayodhya Ram Temple funds scam
Synopsis
Congress has called the alleged diversion of Ayodhya Ram Temple offerings the country's biggest temple-related financial scandal, demanded Supreme Court oversight, and accused the UP government's SIT of running a cover-up — including erasing CCTV footage. With Parliament opening on 20 July, this controversy is set to dominate the session.
Key Takeaways
Congress on 11 July demanded a Supreme Court -monitored judicial probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple .
AICC General Secretary K.C.
Venugopal called it the largest temple-related financial scam in the country's history.
Congress alleged the UP SIT probe is shielding the real culprits, with CCTV footage reportedly erased and security warnings ignored.
The party plans to raise the issue in Parliament from 20 July and demand a statement from PM Narendra Modi .
Similar alleged irregularities at Badrinath and Kedarnath were cited as evidence of a wider pattern, according to Congress.
The Indian National Congress on Saturday, 11 July escalated its offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding a Supreme Court-monitored judicial inquiry into alleged financial irregularities in the management of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The party alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) was being used to protect those responsible rather than bring them to justice.
What Congress Alleged
Addressing reporters in Guruvayur on Saturday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Member of Parliament, described the alleged diversion of temple offerings as the largest temple-related financial scandal the country has seen. He claimed that funds donated by lakhs of devotees had been misappropriated with the knowledge of the Trust appointed by the Centre.
Venugopal further alleged that the ongoing SIT probe was a 'mere eyewash' and that it was not progressing in the right direction. He accused both the central government and the Uttar Pradesh government of shielding those responsible for the alleged embezzlement.
Cover-Up Allegations and CCTV Claims
The Congress leader claimed there was evidence of an attempted cover-up, alleging that CCTV footage had been deliberately erased and that warnings raised by security personnel had been disregarded. He questioned why the temple Trust continued to function despite the gravity of the allegations, and asked why the government was unwilling to seek Supreme Court supervision if it had nothing to hide.
'The silence of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister over an issue that has shaken the faith of crores of devotees amounts to tacit approval for the guilty,' Venugopal said. He added that Congress would raise the matter forcefully during the Parliament session beginning 20 July and seek a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Broader Political Attack
Venugopal alleged that the BJP had repeatedly leveraged the Ayodhya issue for electoral gains while exploiting religious sentiments for political and financial purposes. He further claimed that similar allegations of mismanagement had surfaced at Badrinath and Kedarnath, suggesting what he termed a disturbing pattern of mismanagement of places of worship under BJP governance.
The Congress also announced it would intensify a nationwide campaign against what it described as corruption conducted in the name of faith.
What Happens Next
With the Parliament session set to commence on 20 July, the Ayodhya temple funds controversy is expected to become a flashpoint in both Houses. The BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government have not yet formally responded to the specific allegations raised by Venugopal. Whether the Centre orders an independent inquiry or defends the SIT process will be closely watched in the coming days.
Point of View
If substantiated, would be the most damaging detail in this case, yet it remains unverified and attributed solely to the Congress. What is notable is that neither the Ayodhya temple Trust nor the UP government has offered a detailed public rebuttal so far, and that silence is increasingly becoming a political liability. The Badrinath-Kedarnath angle widens the attack beyond Ayodhya, but risks diluting the core allegation if evidence is thin.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ayodhya Ram Temple offerings embezzlement case?
It refers to allegations of financial irregularities in the management of donations and offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, with Congress claiming that funds contributed by lakhs of devotees were misappropriated with the knowledge of the Trust appointed by the Centre. The UP government has set up an SIT to investigate, though Congress disputes its independence.
Why is Congress demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe?
Congress alleges that the UP government's SIT is not conducting a credible investigation and is instead shielding those responsible. The party argues that only direct Supreme Court supervision can ensure an impartial inquiry, particularly given claims of erased CCTV footage and ignored security warnings.
When will Congress raise this issue in Parliament?
Congress has announced it will raise the Ayodhya temple funds issue during the Parliament session beginning 20 July and will seek a formal statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.
What did K.C. Venugopal say about the BJP and Ayodhya?
AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal alleged that the BJP had repeatedly used the Ayodhya issue for electoral gains while exploiting religious sentiments for political and financial purposes. He described the Prime Minister's and Home Minister's silence on the matter as amounting to tacit approval for the alleged wrongdoers.
Are there similar allegations at other temples?
According to Congress, allegations of financial irregularities have also surfaced in the management of temples at Badrinath and Kedarnath, which the party cited as evidence of a broader pattern of mismanagement of religious sites under BJP-governed administrations. These claims have not been independently verified.
