Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar demands BJP apology over Ram Mandir funds row
Synopsis
A sitting Telangana minister has accused the BJP of embezzling crores in Ram Mandir donations and using religion as an electoral prop — doubling down on an opposition offensive that gained momentum after the BJP's surprise loss in Ayodhya's own Lok Sabha seat in 2024. The BJP is yet to formally respond.
Key Takeaways
Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar on 6 July demanded a BJP apology over alleged misappropriation of Ayodhya Ram Mandir donations.
He alleged donation boxes were 'looted' and funds collected nationwide in the name of Lord Ram were misappropriated.
Prabhakar cited the BJP's loss in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in 2024 as evidence that Ayodhya residents themselves rejected the party.
The minister also recalled that former PM Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Separately, he called on Congress BLAs to coordinate with BLOs during Telangana's ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has previously denied wrongdoing; BJP had not responded to these latest allegations at the time of reporting.
Telangana Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday, 6 July demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) apologise to the people of India over alleged embezzlement of crores of rupees donated for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Congress leader made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, accusing the BJP of exploiting religion for electoral gain.
Key Allegations
Prabhakar claimed that funds collected from across the country in the name of Lord Ram were misappropriated, calling it 'a scam committed in the name of god.' He alleged that donation boxes were looted and that the BJP distributed 'akshintalu' (turmeric-laced grains) in villages to solicit votes under the guise of devotion.
'The BJP is the party that used the name of god for scam,' he said, demanding that senior BJP leaders respond to the allegations and publicly acknowledge wrongdoing.
Congress Claim on Ram Mandir History
The minister recalled that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya — a claim the Congress has historically made to counter the BJP's narrative on the issue. Prabhakar argued that the alleged financial irregularities amounted to an insult to all Hindus who contributed donations in good faith.
He also noted that the BJP, which had sought votes in the name of Ram, was 'defeated by the people of Ayodhya' — a reference to the BJP's unexpected loss in the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, which covers Ayodhya, in the 2024 general elections. He claimed the residents of Ayodhya were 'the first to notice corruption' in the temple's management.
BJP Yet to Respond
There was no immediate response from BJP leadership to Prabhakar's allegations at the time of reporting. The allegations of financial irregularities at the Ram Mandir trust have been raised by several opposition leaders in recent weeks, though the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has previously denied any wrongdoing. NationPress could not independently verify the specific claims made.
Electoral Rolls Revision in Telangana
Separately, Prabhakar addressed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana. He stated that enumeration forms have reached every household and urged Congress party's Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to coordinate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure no eligible voter is excluded.
The minister said he personally toured seven mandals and conducted training sessions for party workers. A coordination meeting was also held under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for the Hyderabad and Secunderabad parliamentary constituencies. The SIR process is seen as critical ahead of future elections, with both ruling and opposition parties keen to maximise their voter base.
Point of View
And the Congress has been probing it ever since. What is missing from this exchange is any verified audit finding or FIR — the allegations remain political assertions, not established facts. Until an independent investigation or court proceeding surfaces documented evidence, this story sits firmly in the 'claim and counter-claim' column. The BJP's silence, however prolonged, will itself become a political liability if the opposition keeps the issue alive into the next election cycle.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar alleged about the Ram Mandir?
Prabhakar has alleged that crores of rupees donated by people across India for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir were embezzled, calling it 'a scam committed in the name of god.' He demanded that the BJP apologise to the nation and that senior party leaders respond to the allegations.
Has the BJP responded to the Ram Mandir funds allegations?
The BJP had not issued a formal response to Prabhakar's specific allegations at the time of reporting. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has previously denied any financial wrongdoing when similar claims were raised by other opposition leaders.
What is the Congress's position on the Ram Mandir's history?
The Congress has claimed that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, using this to argue that the party has its own stake in the temple's legacy. Prabhakar reiterated this claim on Monday.
Why did Prabhakar reference the 2024 Lok Sabha results in Ayodhya?
Prabhakar cited the BJP's unexpected defeat in the Faizabad constituency — which covers Ayodhya — in the 2024 general elections as evidence that local residents were the first to register their discontent over alleged corruption linked to the Ram Mandir.
What did Prabhakar say about Telangana's electoral roll revision?
Prabhakar urged Congress Booth Level Agents to coordinate with Booth Level Officers during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Telangana, saying he had personally toured seven mandals and conducted training for party workers to ensure no eligible voter is left out.
