The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust on Sunday, 7 June flatly denied allegations by Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav that crores of rupees from devotee offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya had gone missing. The denial was swiftly backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and prominent Hindu seers in Ayodhya, who accused Yadav of deliberately spreading misinformation ahead of state elections.

What the Trust Said

In an official statement, the trust clarified that a routine internal audit is currently in progress at the temple. 'The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra undergoes internal audits from time to time. Representatives of the Trust and the State Bank of India participate in this process. The audit exercise continues for several days, and the same process is currently underway. So far, nothing noteworthy has come to light,' the statement read.

The trust's rebuttal directly contradicts Yadav's claim, which had been circulating in Ayodhya for two to three days before drawing an official response.

RSS and Seers Go on the Offensive

RSS National Executive Member Indresh Kumar said Yadav had 'developed a habit of making false statements and levelling allegations,' adding that he had 'neither been able to provide evidence nor is he likely to do so.' Kumar further remarked that certain forces — both globally and domestically — are 'uncomfortable with the idea of India becoming an educated, progressive, and harmonious nation,' and said he prayed that 'Lord Ram grant wisdom to Akhilesh Yadav.'

Mahant Sitaram Das Maharaj of Ayodhya's Saket Bhavan temple was sharper in his criticism, questioning why Yadav had never visited Ram Lalla for darshan or made any donation to the temple. He alleged that 'raising questions over it is an attempt to misguide Hindus' and called the spread of such news 'condemnable and unfortunate.'

Arya Sant Varun Das Ji Maharaj accused Yadav of 'harassing' Ram devotees, asserting that Yadav had 'no right or authority to speak on matters related to the Ram Temple.' He suggested that such narratives 'may emerge in view of the upcoming state elections.' Notably, however, Varun Das Maharaj also said an investigation into transparency would be appropriate, while maintaining that the likelihood of any wrongdoing at the temple was low.

SP Stands Firm

SP leader Tej Narayan Pandey stood by his party chief's allegation, calling the matter 'very unfortunate.' He alleged that the 'faith of people, in the form of offerings in donation boxes, has been betrayed,' and went further to claim that 'the conduct of the Trust has been questionable from the beginning, whether it is related to land scams or now the alleged multi-crore scam involving the donation box.' The SP has not produced documentary evidence to support these claims.

Political Context

The row erupts at a politically sensitive moment, with Uttar Pradesh watching closely as parties position themselves ahead of the next assembly election cycle. The Ram Temple — consecrated in January 2024 after decades of legal and political battles — has remained a charged symbol, and any allegation touching its administration carries outsized political weight. This is not the first time opposition parties have raised questions about the temple trust's functioning; critics argue such charges are difficult to verify without independent oversight, while supporters of the trust contend that audits with State Bank of India participation provide adequate accountability.

With the audit still ongoing, the trust has indicated it will share findings through proper channels once the process is complete.