The alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has triggered a major political and administrative crisis. The Congress party has launched a fierce attack against the Modi government and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, calling the incident a deep insult to the faith of millions of devotees. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda stated during a press conference that his party has always respected the existence of Lord Ram. He recalled that it was during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi that the lock of the Ram Mandir was opened, and it was under a Congress government in Uttar Pradesh that worship of Ram Lalla first commenced. Deepender Singh Hooda asserted that such a large-scale theft could not occur without patronage from those in power. Consequently, the party has demanded a probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court and warned that it will launch protests from the streets to the parliament if their demands are ignored.
Allegations by the Shankaracharya and Criticisms of the Trust
Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda of Jyotirmath has described the event not as a mere theft, but as a well-planned conspiracy. He alleged that individuals associated with the Ram Mandir movement and leading religious figures were deliberately sidelined from the entire temple construction process. According to the Shankaracharya, key responsibilities were assigned to a select few without any consultation, and the current situation is exactly as he had previously apprehended. He has directly targeted the trust, labeling the incident as a failure of their management.
Investigation and Legal Actions
Police are conducting an exhaustive investigation into the matter. Raids were carried out at the homes of the accused, Luvkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, and Karunesh Pandey. From Anukalp Mishra's residence in Kaushalpuri, police seized 15,000 rupees in cash, a gold chain, and a Swift Dzire car. Luvkush Mishra’s home yielded 35,000 rupees in cash and a gold locket, while 10,000 rupees in cash were recovered from Karunesh Pandey’s rented accommodation. Furthermore, 30 bank accounts belonging to the relatives of the accused have been frozen, as preliminary investigations revealed transactions exceeding their known sources of income. Law enforcement is now scrutinizing the entire financial empire and suspicious properties associated with these individuals.
Major Overhaul in Temple Trust Procedures
In the wake of the donation theft controversy, the temple management has implemented significant changes. A group of 23 employees involved in counting donations resigned collectively. Under the new protocol, only specifically appointed and vetted personnel will be allowed to count offerings. The trust has introduced strict safety guidelines, including the mandate that employees must wear clothes without pockets and submit police character certificates. Counting will now only be conducted between 8 AM and 6 PM. Meanwhile, Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Temple Construction Committee, has arrived in Ayodhya. He is presiding over a three-day meeting to review construction progress and verify the status of the 4-kilometer-long security wall. Former General Secretary Champat Rai and Dr. Anil Mishra will not be attending, while Executive General Secretary Krishna Mohan will be present.
Sindhi Community and Political Rhetoric
The Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam has sent a letter to the trust’s treasurer, Swami Govind Dev Giri, seeking permission to visit the temple in September-October 2026. The letter includes a list of 200 donors along with details from 35 Indian cities and 17 countries regarding 200 donated silver bricks. Political blame games have intensified as well. Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal criticized Congress and the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of consistently opposing the faith of Ram devotees. Conversely, Cabinet Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary accused the opposition of playing religious politics, reiterating that the current government's agenda is to honor faith and cultural heritage.
