In Uttar Pradesh, Congress president Ajay Rai on Thursday alleged that corruption is rampant in Ayodhya, where the BJP and members of the RSS are involved, and also sought a proper inquiry into alleged financial irregularities in the temple funds and land purchases.
In Ayodhya, Rai asserted that a corruption took place at the birthplace of Lord Ram and was there for several years. He said during the tenure of Ashok Singhal, the late actual head of Ram temple movement, the unfortunate disappearance of huge amounts of fund raised by the temple, during the events of the late period, had been pointed out.
Rai also said that land scams were conducted and temple officials mismanaged the funds and offerings received by the devotees. He has asked for in-depth probe into charges and strict action against those found guilty.
The Congress leader also demanded action against other senior individuals linked to the trust money fund of the temple, Champat Rai, saying that there should be accountability in case of public funding and religious institutions.
His remarks will continue to jack up political discussion on Ayodhya, a city whose politics and religious sentiments have been key thorns in the flesh to much of the country’s political debate. Previously, the BJP and the temple-related activities’ leaders have denied any offenses and have backed the management of the activities related to the temple.
The allegations come as political skirmishing between the Congress and the BJP continue ahead of upcoming elections in UP. Congress leaders have resigned about the lack of transparency in these matters and the BJP has blamed the opposition for trying to involve in a religious issue.
A response from the Ram Temple Trust or BJP leaders was not immediately available about Rai’s new charges.