'Partner in Sin?': Jairam Ramesh Slams PM Modi Over Ram Temple Land Deals
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questions PM Modi over alleged 825% profit in Ram Temple land deals and missing SIT reports.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging massive irregularities and "loot" in land deals associated with the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In a series of provocative claims, Ramesh questioned the accountability of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) regarding the handling of donations and land acquisitions.
The '5-Minute' Land Flip Allegation
The core of Ramesh's allegation centers on a specific land transaction that he claims reveals a shocking level of financial manipulation. According to a post shared on X, the Congress leader highlighted a transaction occurring on March 18, 2021, that allegedly saw a property's value skyrocket in a matter of minutes.
Ramesh alleged that at 7:10 PM on that day, individuals identified as Tiwari-Ansari purchased land from Kusum Pathak for ₹2 crore. He claims that just five minutes later, at 7:15 PM, the same piece of land was acquired by the Temple Trust via Champat Rai for a staggering ₹18.5 crore.
"How was an 825% loot allowed to happen in just 5 minutes!" Ramesh questioned, suggesting a deliberate attempt to siphon off funds.
Questionable Witnesses and Missing Reports
Beyond the pricing, the Congress leader pointed toward a potential conflict of interest involving the witnesses of these transactions. Ramesh claimed that the same witnesses were present for both registries: the then-BJP mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay and trustee Anil Mishra.
He further pressed the government on the lack of transparency regarding official probes into these matters. Ramesh raised two critical points regarding investigations:
- The 2021 Report: He questioned why an investigation report from 2021 has remained hidden from the public for five years.
- The SIT Probe: He demanded to know when the results of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the land deals would finally be released.
Allegations of 'Donation Theft'
The controversy extends beyond land deals to the thousands of crores collected as donations from millions of devotees across India. Ramesh alleged that these funds, intended for the temple's construction, were misappropriated, describing the situation as a "robbery" of the people's faith and money.
He accused the ruling dispensation of protecting those associated with the BJP, RSS, and VHP, claiming that despite repeated questions from the Opposition, no concrete action has been taken against the accused.
Direct Challenge to the Prime Minister
Closing his argument with a direct confrontation, Jairam Ramesh questioned the silence of the Prime Minister. He asked why such alleged thefts of donations and offerings were allowed to happen "under his very nose."
Ramesh concluded by asking Prime Minister Modi why he had become a "partner in the sin" by providing what the Congress leader describes as "silent consent" to these irregularities.