Kejriwal Questions Amit Shah's Absence from Ram Temple, Links to Donation Irregularities

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday questioned why Union Home Minister Amit Shah had not visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya since its consecration and said he would reveal some 'information' related to the issue at another press conference on Thursday, without disclosing further details.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed it had been 891 days since the Ram Temple was established, yet Shah had "not visited the temple even once to touch Lord Ram's feet."

"I didn't believe it at first. The people who misuse Ram's name the most haven't even gone for darshan," Kejriwal said.

The former Delhi chief minister repeatedly posed a series of questions aimed at Shah.

"Why haven't you visited the Ram Temple? The country is asking. Don't you feel like seeking blessings? Don't you feel like visiting the temple? Do you need Lord Ram's blessings? Do you believe Ramchandra is God?" Kejriwal asked.

Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP had frequently invoked the Ram Temple during election campaigns.

"In these 891 days, he has used Ram Mandir in interviews and speeches and asked for votes in Lord Ram's name. He has time to seek votes in Ram's name but not to visit the temple?" he said, adding that he had "checked Shah's timeline" and found no visit to the shrine.

The AAP chief linked his criticism to the alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Temple, saying the controversy had hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

"Every Sanatani in this country is pained because of this case. This is just the tip of the iceberg," he said.

Kejriwal argued that both the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government should have visited the temple to express gratitude after coming to power.

"The Centre and the state government, Amit Shah should have gone to the temple to say thank you and should have donated Rs 101," he said.

Claiming the BJP had benefited politically by invoking Lord Ram, Kejriwal said, "For so many decades, they have been using Ram's name only to come to power. Ram gave them power in 21 states."

He further alleged that those responsible for the alleged theft of temple offerings had no fear of God.

"They would have been scared to steal because of fear of God, fear for their future and their lives. But these people have no fear. That means they don't believe in God," Kejriwal said.

"These people don't think Ram is God, because if they did, they wouldn't have stolen the offerings," he added.

Kejriwal's remarks come amid the political row over alleged irregularities in donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. An FIR has been registered against eight individuals following a preliminary probe into the alleged misappropriation of donation funds after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust lodged a complaint with Ayodhya Police. The FIR includes charges related to theft, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.