VHP's Vinod Bansal slams SP, AAP, Congress over Ram Temple donation 'theft' claims
Synopsis
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal has publicly demanded apologies from three opposition parties — SP, AAP, and Congress — over what he calls an 'organised false propaganda' campaign alleging theft of Ram Temple donations. He has also called for SIT-led legal action under BNS Section 353, raising the stakes well beyond a political spat.
Key Takeaways
VHP National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal on 7 July accused SP , AAP , and Congress of spreading 'false propaganda' about stolen Ram Temple donations.
Bansal asserted all donated items are safe and publicly displayed by the Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya .
He demanded an immediate apology from all three parties to devotees and the temple trust.
The VHP urged the SIT to initiate legal action under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
The controversy centres on gold, silver, and other valuables donated by millions of devotees since the temple's consecration in January 2024 .
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal on Tuesday, 7 July launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress, accusing them of running an 'organised political false propaganda' campaign over alleged theft of precious articles donated by devotees to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Bansal asserted that all donated items remain safe and are being publicly displayed by the temple trust, calling the opposition's claims baseless and politically motivated.
What Bansal Said
In a strongly worded post on his X handle, Bansal demanded an immediate apology from all three parties — to the devotees, the Ram Temple trust, and the broader community of Ram devotees. He wrote that 'theft of precious articles donated by devotees is a lie, as all such articles are safe and displayed by the trust in public,' calling the opposition's campaign a 'big slap on the face' of those he termed 'Ramdrohis.'
He further urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take cognisance of the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Opposition's Allegations
Several opposition leaders had earlier raised concerns about missing or stolen valuables donated for the construction and enrichment of the Ram Temple, prompting the VHP's rebuttal. The specific claims made by SP, AAP, and Congress leaders centred on the alleged misappropriation of gold, silver, and other valuables contributed by millions of devotees with deep religious devotion.
The VHP dismissed these allegations as an attempt to undermine faith in the temple trust and hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees for political gain, terming the opposition's actions as 'anti-Hindu and divisive.'
Trust's Transparency, According to VHP
Bansal emphasised that the Ram Temple trust has maintained complete transparency by publicly displaying all donated articles, which he argued effectively debunks any claims of theft or misappropriation. The VHP, which has been central to the Ram Temple movement for decades, views the controversy as a coordinated political effort to cast doubt on the management of devotee contributions.
Legal and Political Fallout
The VHP's call for SIT action under Section 353 of the BNS signals an escalation beyond political rhetoric, pushing the dispute into potential legal territory. This comes amid broader political debates over the governance and security of donations flowing into one of India's most prominent religious sites. Notably, the Ram Temple, consecrated in January 2024, has continued to draw massive donations from across the country, making the management of those contributions a politically sensitive issue.
Whether the SIT will act on the VHP's demand, and how the three opposition parties respond to the apology call, will shape the next phase of this dispute.
Point of View
Raising the cost of opposition criticism. What is missing from the public record is an independent audit of the Ram Temple trust's donation management; the VHP's assertion of transparency, while politically forceful, is not a substitute for verified accounting. Opposition parties raising governance questions about one of India's wealthiest religious trusts is not inherently illegitimate — but the manner in which those concerns were framed, without documented evidence, hands the VHP exactly the 'propaganda' narrative it needs. The real accountability gap here is the absence of a publicly accessible, third-party-verified ledger of donations.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VHP's Ram Temple donation controversy about?
The controversy involves opposition parties — SP, AAP, and Congress — alleging that precious articles donated by devotees to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have been stolen or misappropriated. The VHP has rejected these claims as false, asserting that all donated items are safe and publicly displayed by the temple trust.
What action has VHP demanded over the Ram Temple donation claims?
VHP National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal has demanded an immediate public apology from SP, AAP, and Congress to Ram devotees and the temple trust. He has also urged the SIT to take cognisance and initiate legal proceedings under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
What is Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with statements made with intent to create or promote enmity, hatred, or ill-will between groups. The VHP has cited this provision in its call for legal action against those it accuses of spreading false information about Ram Temple donations.
How has the Ram Temple trust responded to the theft allegations?
According to the VHP, the Ram Temple trust has maintained transparency by publicly displaying all donated articles, which the organisation says disproves any claims of theft or misappropriation. An independent or official trust statement on the matter has not been separately detailed in available reports.
Why is the Ram Temple donation issue politically significant?
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, consecrated in January 2024, has received donations of gold, silver, and other valuables from millions of devotees across India, making its financial management a high-stakes public interest matter. Any allegation of mismanagement carries both religious and political weight, which is why the VHP has responded with particular force.
