Mumbai/New Delhi: Asserting the construction of the Ram Temple is a matter of faith for the people, Shiv Sena leader Raut on Monday demanded a clarification from the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust amid allegations of corruption in the land purchased by the trust in Ayodhya.
Raut dubbed as “shocking” the allegations levelled by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh in connection with this matter.
“Lord Ram and the fight for the Ram mandir is a matter of faith for us. For some, it is a political matter. The Trust formed for the construction of the temple should clarify if the allegations are true or false,” Raut told the media.
Stating the temple’s ‘bhoomipujan’ ceremony was also attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Shiv Sena MP said “they should also speak out” on the matter.
“Ram temple is a matter of faith. The people have made donations out of faith. Even the Shiv Sena had contributed Rs one crore to the Trust,” Raut said.
“If the money collected out of faith is misused then what is the use of having faith? We need to know what is happening. We need to know whether the allegations are true or false,” he added.
READ: Govt Should Practise In India What It Preaches To World: Chidambaram Taunts PM Modi’s G7 Address
"Misuse Of Donations Insult To Faith"
The Congress Party too commented on the issue with party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stating the misuse of donations by devotees is a sin.
“Crores of people made their offerings at the feet of God out of their faith and devotion. Misuse of those donations is unrighteous and is a sin and an insult to their faith,” she wrote on Twitter in Hindi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his part said cheating in the name of Lord Ram is “unrighteous”.
“Shri Ram himself is justice, truth, religion. Cheating in his name is unrighteous! #Ram Mandir Scam,” he said in a post in Hindi.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on his part cornered the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and sought a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
“Ram is our lifelong adoration. Cheating in the name of Lord Ram is a great sin. The Prime Minister reply,” he tweeted in Hindi.
Allegations
The remarks came as AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Pawan Pandey earlier on Sunday levelled corruption allegations in the land purchase for the Ram temple premises in Ayodhya.
The duo alleged that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai purchased a piece of land worth Rs 2 crore at an inflated price of Rs 18.5 crore.
Calling it a money laundering case, the two leaders demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the land purchase for the temple premises.