Ayodhya Temple donation theft row: Priyank Kharge targets RSS, BJP

Bengaluru, July 6 (IANS) Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP after the RSS appealed to the public to exercise restraint over the alleged theft of cash offerings from donation boxes at the newly built Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

The controversy erupted after the RSS urged people to maintain restraint while expressing concern over the alleged theft and the reported administrative and security lapses at the temple.

Reacting strongly, Priyank Kharge accused the BJP and the RSS of “exploiting” Lord Ram’s name for political power and financial gain.

In a statement, Kharge alleged that the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had built their entire political identity around the Ram Temple, while the RSS had also derived its political relevance from the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since the 1990s.

Referring to the alleged theft of temple offerings as a “donation theft”, Kharge claimed that attempts were being made to shield those responsible. He alleged that the RSS’s appeal for restraint was effectively an attempt to discourage people from questioning the incident and said it had exposed the organisation’s “true face”.

The minister further alleged that the RSS wanted to remain beyond public scrutiny because of the political power it currently enjoyed. He accused the BJP and the RSS of using Lord Ram’s name for both political and financial gains, adding that defending those allegedly involved in the theft reflected not only political opportunism but also an abuse of the faith of millions of devotees.

“For the past three decades, what people had suspected has now become evident. For the BJP and the RSS, the Ram Temple was never about faith or devotion; it was merely a vehicle for acquiring power and wealth,” Kharge said.

The minister’s remarks came shortly after the RSS expressed concern over the alleged administrative and security lapses at the Ayodhya temple. The issue has since escalated into a political flashpoint, with Opposition parties seeking to corner the ruling BJP over the controversy.

The allegations and counter-allegations have further intensified the political debate surrounding the management of the Ram Temple, with both sides presenting sharply contrasting narratives over the incident.

–IANS

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