A donation irregularity case linked to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has triggered a nationwide debate, yet the controversy appears to have made little dent in the number of devotees turning up for darshan of Ramlala. The investigation into the case is still underway, and several people have already been arrested in connection with it. To find out whether the row has actually kept devotees away, a check was carried out at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, Ram Path, Hanumangarhi and the surrounding main routes, along with conversations with local residents, shopkeepers and devotees visiting the shrine.
On the ground: queues are just as long
What emerges from the ground level view is that while people are certainly angry and worried about the donation irregularity, their faith in Lord Shri Ram has not weakened in the slightest. Long queues of devotees were seen outside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex from early morning right through late evening, just as before. Devotees kept moving steadily along Ram Path, and major temples such as Hanumangarhi and Kanak Bhavan also drew a healthy crowd of visitors.
Devotees want a probe, but darshan won't stop
Several devotees who came for darshan said plainly that if financial irregularities did occur at any level, a fair investigation must follow, and strict action should be taken against those found guilty. But according to them, that does not mean they will stop visiting Lord Ram. They said their faith rests in God, not in any individual or system, so the routine of darshan and worship at the temple will continue exactly as before.
Calls for a transparent inquiry
Local residents say the Ram Mandir is a centre of faith for crores of people, and any kind of irregularity there deeply hurts people's sentiments. They want the entire matter investigated with full transparency, and believe that the guilty should be punished as per law so that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
A push to make the donation system more transparent
Devotees also suggested that the temple's management and its donation system should be made even more transparent, so that public trust grows stronger. They said whoever has tampered with the sanctity of the temple and the trust of devotees should not be spared under any circumstances.
