Ram Temple donation probe: SIT has full freedom, says RSS leader Indresh Kumar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) National Executive Member Indresh Kumar on Sunday, 28 June stated that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations and chadhava (offerings) at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been granted complete freedom to conduct its investigation. Kumar urged the public not to politicise the matter, asserting that any wrongdoing would be met with strict consequences.
What Indresh Kumar Said
Addressing the controversy over the alleged misappropriation of temple funds, Kumar stated that the government, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were collectively taking all necessary steps to ensure justice.
He said: 'SIT is doing an investigation regarding it. The government, the trust, and the organisation, namely the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, are taking the necessary steps. Therefore, the country has faith in the raja, sanghthan, and the trust. If any wrongdoing has occurred, Ayodhya's Ram Rajya is such that criminals are never forgiven; they are punished. There is no need for haste or to politicise the matter…'
In a separate statement, Kumar reiterated that the investigating agency has been given full independence. 'The SIT has full freedom. The organisation, the Trust, and the government have extended their full support to ensure that justice is delivered and that no wrongdoing goes unaddressed. Therefore, the entire country was reassured and continues to be reassured. Some people are going out of their way to provoke others. They are not waiting for justice,' he added.
Trust Confirms Resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra
In a significant development on Saturday, 27 June, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officially confirmed that it had received the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra. Both senior members reportedly submitted their resignations on moral grounds on Friday, amid the uproar over the alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Mandir.
The confirmation marked the Trust's first official acknowledgement of the resignations, following a day of speculation and conflicting reports. The Trust stated it would deliberate on the resignations at its next meeting before arriving at a final decision.
Trust's Response to the Controversy
In its first public statement since the controversy came to light, the Trust said it was 'shocked, hurt and extremely saddened' by the donation row. It reaffirmed its commitment to a fair and impartial probe into the alleged theft of donations, and pledged to take all necessary steps to restore the confidence of crores of devotees of Lord Ram in the temple's administration.
This comes amid mounting scrutiny over financial irregularities involving donations received at one of India's most prominent religious sites, a controversy that has drawn political attention and public concern in equal measure.
What Happens Next
The SIT investigation is ongoing, with the Trust, VHP, and government having pledged full cooperation. The Trust's next meeting will determine the fate of the resignations submitted by Champat Rai and Anil Mishra. How swiftly the probe concludes — and what it uncovers — is likely to shape public trust in the Ram Temple's administration for years to come.