NDA leaders attack Digvijaya Singh over RSS, Ram Temple fund remarks
Synopsis
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's broadside against the RSS, Veer Savarkar, and the Ram Temple trust — including allegations that devotee donations are funding BJP elections — has triggered a coordinated NDA pushback and a pledged 1,000-km protest march. The row signals Congress's intent to contest the BJP's Hindu identity narrative head-on, with the padyatra set for 20 October raising the stakes further.
Key Takeaways
BJP and JD(U) leaders strongly criticised Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on 5 October 2026 over remarks targeting the RSS , Veer Savarkar , and the Ram Temple trust.
Sriniwas said Singh should be 'the last person' to speak on RSS and Savarkar, defending Savarkar's legacy.
BJP spokesperson Vinusha challenged Singh's claim that the RSS is divisive, citing its 40-plus branches and community welfare work.
JD(U) General Secretary Shyam Rajak cautioned against mixing religion and politics in response to Singh's padyatra announcement.
Digvijaya Singh alleged Ram Temple donations were diverted to BJP-RSS election funds and called trust official Champat Rai an 'RSS agent'.
Singh has announced a 1,000-km foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya beginning 20 October to protest alleged exploitation of temple funds.
Senior BJP and Janata Dal (United) leaders launched a sharp counter-offensive on 5 October 2026 against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, condemning his remarks targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Veer Savarkar, and his allegation that donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were being diverted to BJP and RSS election funds. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders questioned Singh's grasp of Sanatan Dharma and the RSS's work while dismissing his announced 1,000-km foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya.
BJP Leaders Fire Back
BJP leader T.R. Sriniwas took direct aim at Singh, arguing the Congress leader was the least credible voice on RSS and Savarkar. 'Digvijaya Singh, you are trying to say something about the RSS and Veer Savarkar. I think you should be the last person to talk about that because Sanatan Dharma does not need a Congress certificate,' Sriniwas said. He further argued that a 'Left-liberal Islamic ecosystem' had crafted a 'wrong narrative' about Savarkar, and reminded critics of the hardship Savarkar endured in the Kala Pani jail.
BJP spokesperson Vinusha challenged Singh's knowledge of the RSS, pointing to its extensive grassroots network. 'Mr Digvijay Singh, what do you know about the RSS? You said that you are conducting a 1,000-km padyatra to oppose the RSS. Do you know anything about RSS? It has over 40 branches… every organisation works for the welfare of every citizen,' Vinusha said, questioning why Congress leaders harbour such hostility toward the organisation.
JD(U) Warns Against Mixing Religion and Politics
In Bihar, JD(U) General Secretary Shyam Rajak framed his response around a broader principle rather than a direct personal attack. 'Politics should not be brought into religion. If there is politics in religion, it becomes impure and unholy. And if religion enters politics, it brings purity,' Rajak said, adding that the manner in which Congress leaders were speaking suggested they were not genuinely interested in political engagement.
What Digvijaya Singh Said
Digvijaya Singh had alleged that the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were distorting Sanatan Dharma and creating societal divisions. In a video statement posted on X, Singh argued that the term 'Hindu' has Persian-language origins and does not feature in the Vedas, and that 'Hindutva' was a term coined by Savarkar. He also alleged that funds donated for the Ram Temple were being siphoned into BJP and RSS electoral operations, describing temple trust official Champat Rai as an 'RSS agent'. Singh announced a 1,000-km padyatra from Ujjain to Ayodhya, set to commence on 20 October, as a protest against what he characterised as the exploitation of temple donations.
Context and Political Significance
This is not the first time Singh has drawn NDA fire over remarks on Hindu organisations — his statements on the RSS and Sanatan Dharma have consistently provoked sharp retorts from ruling coalition leaders. This exchange comes amid a broader Congress effort to challenge the BJP's positioning on Hindu identity ahead of several state assembly cycles. Notably, Singh's allegation regarding Ram Temple funds is particularly incendiary, given the temple's centrality to the BJP's political narrative since the 22 January 2024 consecration ceremony. The Ram Temple Trust has not publicly responded to Singh's financial allegations as of this report.
With the padyatra scheduled to begin on 20 October, this confrontation is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a prolonged political clash over Hindu identity, the RSS's role in public life, and the management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Point of View
Which suggests either the allegation is difficult to refute publicly or the parties prefer a culture-war framing. Congress appears to be deliberately targeting the RSS-Sanatan Dharma-temple nexus as electoral terrain, betting that scepticism about temple fund management resonates beyond its traditional base. Whether Singh's padyatra galvanises that constituency or simply hands the BJP a fresh mobilisation moment will define the episode's political legacy.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Digvijaya Singh say about the RSS and Ram Temple?
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh alleged that the RSS and VHP are distorting Sanatan Dharma and creating societal divisions. He also claimed that donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are being diverted into BJP and RSS election funds, and called temple trust official Champat Rai an 'RSS agent'.
What is Digvijaya Singh's 1,000-km padyatra about?
Singh announced a 1,000-km foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya, scheduled to begin on 20 October, to protest what he described as the exploitation of Ram Temple donations. The march is also framed as an opposition to the RSS.
How did BJP leaders respond to Digvijaya Singh's remarks?
BJP leader T.R. Sriniwas said Singh should be 'the last person' to speak on the RSS and Savarkar, arguing that Sanatan Dharma does not need a Congress endorsement. BJP spokesperson Vinusha challenged Singh's knowledge of the RSS and highlighted its extensive welfare work across more than 40 branches.
What did JD(U) say about Singh's remarks?
JD(U) General Secretary Shyam Rajak cautioned that religion and politics should not be mixed. He argued that introducing politics into religion makes it 'impure and unholy', and questioned whether Singh's approach reflected genuine political intent.
Has the Ram Temple Trust responded to the fund diversion allegations?
As of this report, the Ram Temple Trust has not publicly responded to Digvijaya Singh's allegation that devotee donations are being channelled into BJP and RSS election funds. The claim remains unverified and is attributed solely to Singh.
