Ram Mandir SIT probe: Shia cleric tells Owaisi to stay out of UP politics
Synopsis
A Shia cleric has publicly rebuked AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for his incendiary remarks on the Ram Mandir donation theft case, telling him to stay out of UP's internal politics — even as the SIT probing the embezzlement gets a 15-day extension to dig deeper into temple staff and CCTV evidence.
Key Takeaways
AISPLB spokesperson Maulana Yasoob Abbas on 1 July said Asaduddin Owaisi should not interfere in Uttar Pradesh 's internal politics.
Owaisi had alleged at a Bijnor rally that a Muslim in the Ram Mandir Trust would have faced an encounter and bulldozing — while the current accused 'are enjoying'.
CM Yogi Adityanath has granted the SIT an additional 15 days to complete its probe into the Ram Temple donation box theft.
The SIT will scrutinise approximately 50 staff members involved in counting offerings and review available CCTV footage .
Adityanath has assured the probe will be unbiased and urged devotees to submit documentary evidence to the SIT.
All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) spokesperson Maulana Yasoob Abbas on Wednesday, 1 July said that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi should refrain from interfering in the internal politics of Uttar Pradesh, pushing back against Owaisi's recent remarks on the Ram Temple donation embezzlement investigation in Ayodhya.
What Owaisi Said
Addressing a rally in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, Owaisi took aim at the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government over its handling of the case. He alleged that had a Muslim been a member of the Ram Mandir Trust, the government would have acted far more harshly. 'They should have kept a Muslim in the temple trust and closed the case with his encounter and by bulldozing his house. But currently the accused are enjoying,' Owaisi said.
The Shia Cleric's Rebuttal
'There is no need to make such statements, as the Ayodhya issue is a very serious one,' Abbas said in response. He added: 'The Chief Minister and the SIT are examining the entire matter seriously. Therefore, in my opinion, there is no need for outsiders to interfere in internal politics.' The remarks signal a notable intra-community divergence on how Muslim leaders should engage with the politically sensitive temple dispute.
SIT Gets 15-Day Extension
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has granted an additional 15 days to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Temple donation box. The SIT was originally directed to submit a final report within 15 days, with an interim report expected in seven days. With the extension, investigators will now carry out a comprehensive review of temple administration.
Scope of the Investigation
The SIT's expanded inquiry will focus on approximately 50 staff members responsible for counting temple offerings, along with a detailed examination of available CCTV footage. CM Adityanath has publicly stated that the probe will be entirely unbiased and that no one found guilty will escape accountability. He has also urged devotees of Lord Ram to remain patient and to submit any documentary evidence directly to the SIT.
What Happens Next
With the SIT deadline now extended, the investigation enters a more intensive phase. The outcome is being watched closely given the political sensitivity of the Ram Mandir and the broader implications for temple governance. Any findings are expected to carry significant weight ahead of the state's political calendar.
Point of View
But they risk overshadowing the legitimate accountability questions the embezzlement case raises. The SIT extension, meanwhile, is a double-edged signal: it suggests the investigation is more complex than initially acknowledged, but it also gives the Adityanath government more time to shape the narrative around temple governance. Whether the probe delivers credible findings — or becomes a political instrument — will test the CM's repeated assurances of impartiality.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case?
The case involves alleged theft of offerings from the donation box at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter, with scrutiny focused on around 50 staff members who handle the counting of offerings and on CCTV footage from the temple premises.
What did Asaduddin Owaisi say about the Ram Mandir Trust?
Owaisi, speaking at a rally in Bijnor on Monday, alleged that had a Muslim been part of the Ram Mandir Trust, the Yogi Adityanath government would have responded with an encounter and bulldozing. He said the current accused were 'enjoying' while no such action was being taken.
Why did the Shia cleric criticise Owaisi?
AISPLB spokesperson Maulana Yasoob Abbas said Owaisi's remarks were unnecessary given the seriousness of the Ayodhya issue. He argued that the Chief Minister and the SIT were already examining the matter seriously, and that outsiders should not interfere in the internal politics of Uttar Pradesh.
Why has the SIT been given a 15-day extension?
CM Yogi Adityanath extended the SIT's deadline by 15 days to allow a more comprehensive review of temple administration, including examination of the roughly 50 staff members involved in counting offerings and analysis of CCTV footage. The original mandate required a final report in 15 days and an interim report in seven.
What has CM Yogi Adityanath said about the investigation?
CM Adityanath has stated that the SIT's investigation will be entirely unbiased and that no one found guilty will escape accountability. He has also appealed to Ram devotees to remain patient and to share any documentary evidence they possess with the SIT.
