'Donation Theft, Faith Betrayed': Jairam Ramesh Slams PM Modi Over Ram Temple Funds
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleges financial misappropriation at Ayodhya's Ram Temple and demands accountability from PM Narendra Modi.
In a sharp political offensive, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of financial irregularities surrounding public donations at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. On Sunday, October 25, 2026, Ramesh demanded transparency and accountability, questioning the Prime Minister's silence on a matter he describes as a betrayal of the devotees' faith.
The attack comes just as the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh, adding a layer of political tension to the ongoing controversy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh posted under the provocative title "Chanda Chori, Aastha Dhoka" (Donation Theft, Faith Betrayed), asserting that the misappropriation of funds intended for religious offerings is nothing short of a "grave sin."
The Timeline of the Controversy
The storm surrounding the temple's finances began on June 4, 2026, when allegations of theft first surfaced. This sparked a series of legal and administrative actions:
- June 13, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
- June 25, 2026: An FIR was registered, leading to the arrest of eight individuals who were involved in the process of counting donations.
- August 17, 2026: The SIT submitted its final report.
Jairam Ramesh has expressed deep skepticism regarding the findings of this initial SIT report. He alleges that the investigation provided a "clean chit" to senior figures, specifically former General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra. While both individuals subsequently resigned from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Ramesh insists that the probe was insufficient.
Massive Chargesheet and Recoveries
The legal battle intensified in September 2026 when a Supreme Court-appointed SIT stepped in. This investigation resulted in a staggering 70,000-page chargesheet filed against the eight accused. The findings were detailed and alarming, identifying 105 separate instances where cash was unauthorizedly concealed. To date, authorities have recovered ₹79.85 lakh.
The Congress leader argues that the current legal actions are merely a smokescreen. He alleges that lower-level employees are being used as scapegoats to protect high-ranking officials and trustees affiliated with the BJP, VHP, and RSS.
Demands for Independent Oversight
The financial scale of the Trust is significant; unaudited statements for the 2025-26 fiscal year show voluntary contributions amounting to ₹98.24 crore. Given these figures, the Congress party has consistently pushed for an independent inquiry conducted under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court.
Ramesh has called for a fair and impartial investigation into the Trust's overall financial dealings, questioning the integrity of the appointment process for its trustees.
The Trust's Response
In an effort to quell the growing controversy and restore public confidence, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has announced new measures to ensure transparency. The Trust has committed to publishing monthly audit reports on its official website to keep the public informed about the utilization of donations.