Ram Temple donation scam: CM Yogi backs SIT probe, slams Congress and SP for double standards
Synopsis
With FIRs filed and a three-member SIT constituted at the Ram Temple Trust's own request, the Ayodhya donation controversy has turned sharply political. CM Yogi's public assurance of a full inquiry — combined with his attack on Congress and SP's historical record on the Ram Temple — signals that the BJP intends to own the accountability narrative before the opposition can.
Key Takeaways
UP CM Yogi Adityanath on 19 June backed the SIT probe into alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Ram Temple, Ayodhya .
The three-member SIT was constituted at the request of the Ram Temple Trust itself.
FIRs have been filed against several suspects over alleged misappropriation of gold and jewellery donated by pilgrims.
Yogi accused Congress of filing Supreme Court affidavits questioning Lord Ram's existence while now claiming to defend devotees.
He alleged that the Samajwadi Party had previously ordered firing on kar sevaks and baton-charged devotees chanting Jai Shri Ram.
Yogi urged devotees to submit evidence to the SIT and not be influenced by attempts to defame Ayodhya or the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, 19 June declared that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will uncover the full truth, while urging devotees not to be swayed by what he called attempts to defame the temple and the holy city. The Chief Minister's remarks came amid mounting political pressure over alleged misappropriation of gold and jewellery donated by pilgrims at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
The Embezzlement Controversy
The row centres on alleged irregularities in the handling of 'chadhawa' — offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against several suspects, with opposition parties and some observers alleging that temple staff pocketed gold and jewellery from the donation pool. The Ram Temple Trust itself reportedly requested the SIT inquiry, and a three-member team has since been constituted to investigate the matter.
Addressing a public gathering in Rudauli, Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi said, 'We have constituted an SIT investigation at the request of the Trust. I can assure you that the SIT inquiry will bring out the complete truth without any doubt.' He also asked devotees who possess any relevant evidence to submit it directly to the SIT.
Yogi's Broadside Against Congress and SP
The Chief Minister reserved sharp criticism for the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing both of 'double standards' over the Ram Temple controversy. He alleged that Congress had historically obstructed the temple's construction and had even filed affidavits in the Supreme Court questioning the existence of Lord Ram, yet was now positioning itself as a protector of devotees' interests.
'Look at their double standards. Congress party tried to prevent the construction of a grand temple in Ayodhya but is now pretending to be deeply concerned about it. They submitted affidavits in the Supreme Court questioning the existence of Lord Ram, used all devious means with shamelessness, and today they are pretending to be saviours of devotees,' Yogi Adityanath said at the Rudauli gathering.
Turning to the SP, he alleged that the party had previously ordered firing on 'kar sevaks' — volunteers who participated in the Ram Temple movement — and had used force against devotees chanting Jai Shri Ram. 'They claim Ram bhakts have been insulted. These are the same people who ordered firing on kar sevaks and baton-charged bhakts chanting Jai Shri Ram. Now, they are preaching others,' he said.
Appeal to Devotees
Beyond the political exchanges, Chief Minister Yogi called upon pilgrims and devotees to preserve the dignity and sanctity associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. He urged them not to be influenced by what he described as coordinated efforts to tarnish the image of both the temple and Ayodhya as a whole. Notably, this is not the first time political parties have traded accusations over the Ram Temple — the site has remained a flashpoint since the temple's consecration in January 2024.
What Happens Next
The SIT probe is now the central mechanism through which the alleged financial irregularities will be examined. The outcome of the inquiry is expected to determine whether action is taken against temple staff or trust officials. Opposition parties are likely to continue pressing for accountability, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has framed the controversy as politically motivated. All eyes are now on the SIT's findings and the timeline for its report.
Point of View
Yogi is attempting to control the accountability frame before it controls him. But the fact that the Trust itself requested the SIT — rather than the government initiating it independently — raises a question mainstream coverage has largely sidestepped: how deep do the alleged irregularities run, and was the Trust's self-referral a genuine act of transparency or a bid to manage the inquiry's scope? The opposition's credibility on this issue is weakened by its own complicated history with the Ram Temple, but that does not resolve the core accountability question at the heart of the probe.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation embezzlement row?
The controversy involves alleged misappropriation of gold, jewellery, and other offerings — known as 'chadhawa' — donated by pilgrims at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. FIRs have been filed against several suspects, with allegations that temple staff pocketed items from the donation pool.
What is the SIT constituted to probe the Ram Temple scam?
A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Temple. The SIT was set up at the request of the Ram Temple Trust itself, according to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Why did CM Yogi criticise Congress over the Ram Temple issue?
Yogi alleged that Congress had historically opposed the Ram Temple's construction and had submitted affidavits in the Supreme Court questioning the existence of Lord Ram, yet was now presenting itself as a defender of devotees' interests — a stance he called hypocritical.
What allegations did Yogi make against the Samajwadi Party?
Yogi alleged that the Samajwadi Party had previously ordered firing on kar sevaks involved in the Ram Temple movement and had used force against devotees chanting Jai Shri Ram, accusing the party of 'duplicity' in now voicing concern for devotees.
What should devotees do if they have evidence related to the Ram Temple scam?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees who possess any relevant evidence regarding the alleged embezzlement to submit it directly to the SIT for consideration during the inquiry.
