CM Yogi flags 'double standards' of Opposition as Ram Mandir SIT probe widens

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the opposition of displaying 'double standards' over the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations, saying parties that had once opposed the temple's construction were now claiming to be concerned about the interests of Ram devotees.

His remarks came amid a political row over allegations of misappropriation of donation funds at the Ram Mandir, with opposition leaders demanding a probe and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh serving a legal notice on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust seeking detailed disclosures on donations and expenditure.

Addressing a public gathering in Rudauli, Ayodhya, CM Yogi said, "Look at their double standards. The same Congress party that tried every possible way to prevent the construction of Lord Ram's temple in Ayodhya is now pretending to be deeply concerned about Ayodhya. They used all their strength against it and, with great shamelessness, even submitted affidavits in the Supreme Court claiming that Lord Ram never existed."

"And today, that same Congress is acting restless over Ayodhya and claiming that Ram devotees have been insulted. And look at the Samajwadi Party and its double standards as well. Today they claim Ram devotees have been insulted, but these are the same people who ordered firing on kar sevaks and used batons against those chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. Now they have come forward to preach to others," he added.

"Those who fired bullets at 'karsevaks' and wielded lathis for chanting Jai Shri Ram are now out here giving sermons... We have set up an SIT investigation (to probe Ram Temple donation issue) at the request of the Trust. The SIT probe will make everything crystal clear. I will tell everyone that nothing should be said that hurts the sentiments of Lord Ram devotees. If anyone has any evidence, they should present it to the SIT," he said.

The chief minister also appealed to devotees not to make inflammatory statements and said the state government had already ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter at the request of the temple trust.

"I would like to appeal to all Ram devotees. Regarding the reports that have emerged from Ayodhya, we have constituted an SIT investigation at the request of the trust. I can assure you that the SIT inquiry will bring out the complete truth without any doubt," UP CM said.

"At the same time, I urge all sides not to make any inflammatory remarks or statements that hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees. If anyone has documentary evidence, they should submit it to the SIT," he added.

The SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought a formal investigation into allegations that funds donated to the temple had been misused.

The trust has denied any wrongdoing and said regular audits were being conducted.

The three-member panel comprises Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, inspector general of police Kiran S and special secretary (finance) Neel Ratan.

The team has been tasked with examining the allegations and submitting its report to the state government.

The controversy began after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to reports alleging that crores of rupees donated to the Ram temple were unaccounted for and called for an impartial investigation.

Former SP MLA Pawan Pandey had alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations had been misappropriated.

The issue gained further political attention after RJD MP Sudhakar Singh sent a legal notice to the temple trust demanding a year-wise account of donations and expenditure from 2021-22 to 2025-26, along with audited balance sheets, details of bank accounts and records of land purchases.

Temple trust general secretary Champat Rai has rejected the allegations and maintained that no evidence of financial irregularities has surfaced so far.