Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reiterated his government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards anyone who tries to use the faith of devotees or vitiates the sanctity of the Ram Temple, days after seven individuals were arrested in India and one became a witness in the case of alleged funds embezzlement.
The Chief Minister welcomed the developments but added that there shall be no leniency for those who “play with Sanatan” and forebear trust of millions and millions of devotees. He has underlined the strictness of actions taken against offenders if they are found guilty by the state government.
On Sunday 19th June, Yogi Adityanath had also publicly alerted against incurring any misuse of public trust or performing any action that may bring a dishonour to one of the holiest places of the Hindu community in Ayodhya. PWS had already announced that any irregularities in the administration or donations to the temple would not be accepted.
His remarks come on the heels of an FIR filed by police in respect of the embezzlement of the funds from the Ram Temple. As part of the investigation eight people, including a number of staff at the temple who were helping to count the cash gifts, have been placed under custody.
There is reportedly a probe into charges that money from donations was channeled into other accounts. The case has led to general political outrage, with opposition politicians calling for more transparency in how donations to temples are handled.
The Uttar Pradesh government has been adamant about maintaining the sanctity of the Ram Temple and protecting the devotees’ belief as its prime agenda always. Officials give assurances that it will be carried out objectively and that stringent measures will be implemented against any individual found responsible for the irregularities in the financial side and violation of trust of the public.