Ram Temple Donation Row: Trust Seeks SIT Probe After PMO Signals Action
Ayodhya: Amid the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in funds donated to the Ram Temple, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has formally requested the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the matter.
Acting on the trust’s appeal, the state government has set up a three-member SIT to investigate the allegations.
The move comes in the wake of developments that began on June 6 and gained momentum after reports submitted by senior trust functionaries, including trustee member Vijay Vishwas Pant and Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra.
According to sources, indications emerging from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) prompted the trust to seek an independent inquiry rather than allowing the issue to remain confined to internal scrutiny.
The trust subsequently submitted a formal request to the state administration, leading to the constitution of the SIT.
The controversy centres on allegations of financial irregularities linked to temple donations.
Trust officials have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
However, after the issue surfaced publicly and attracted wider attention, the trust decided that an impartial investigation would help establish the facts and address concerns surrounding the matter.
The trust has maintained that any misuse of funds collected in the name of devotees would amount to a serious breach of public faith.
It believes a thorough probe is necessary to ensure complete transparency and restore confidence among devotees and stakeholders.
Taking the request seriously, the Uttar Pradesh government has appointed a panel of three senior officials to conduct the inquiry.
The SIT will carry out a detailed examination of the entire case and submit its findings to the state administration.
The investigation is expected to review all relevant records, examine the allegations in depth, and determine whether any financial impropriety occurred.
The findings of the SIT are likely to play a crucial role in clarifying the facts surrounding the controversy.
Meanwhile, Swami Avimukteshwaranand, who has been hogging headlines ever since last year’s Kumbh at Prayagraj, has said: “Chori to Ram Mandir mein shuru se ho rahi hai ye koi nai baat nahi.” The saint’s remark and the sentence he used that has gone viral have sent shockwaves amongst the entire Sanatani world over.
It is very shocking and unbelievable, and I only hope that the allegations are wrong in the findings of the SIT that has been specially constituted to unravel the truth said an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Ram said Acharya Ayodhya Prasad Shashtri, who lives near the Lalita Devi temple in Prayagraj and runs a GURUKUL where students are taught the Vedas and rituals that are carried out by the Sanatan dharma followers.
He said there are so many temples in the south revered by the followers of Sanatan Dharm and where huge sums are offered to the deities.
The Uttar Pradesh government, he said, should send a team to some of the famous Hindu temples in India to study how the offerings in cash and other forms are kept safely; he further added.
