The donation theft controversy at Ayodhya's Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple has pulled the city's business community into the debate, with the local trade body now backing Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Days after the seers of the Sant Samaj spoke up for him, the Ayodhya Vyapar Mandal called a press conference to make its own position clear, calling the theft a condemnable act while insisting that no innocent person should be accused before the investigation is complete.
No leniency for the guilty, but innocence should not be punished either
Office bearers of the Vyapar Mandal told reporters that the theft of donation money from the Ram temple premises is an extremely unfortunate incident and demanded the harshest possible action against whoever is eventually found responsible, so that such incidents are never repeated. At the same time, they made it clear that the allegations being levelled against Champat Rai are not backed by facts, and that dragging him into the controversy without solid evidence is unjustified.
Probe is on state government's orders, law will take its course
The Vyapar Mandal's general secretary said the donation theft is undoubtedly a serious matter, but the investigation into it is already being carried out on the directions of the state government, with the agencies concerned doing their job independently. He said whoever is found guilty once the probe concludes will face strict action under the law. He reiterated that the Vyapar Mandal considers Champat Rai innocent in this case and strongly opposes any attempt to defame him without cause.
Pankaj Gupta: the grand temple would not exist without Champat Rai
Vyapar Mandal president Pankaj Gupta said the grand temple of Lord Ram now standing in Ayodhya was made possible only because of Champat Rai's leadership and oversight. He recalled that devotees of Ram had waited nearly 500 years for the temple to be built, and that Champat Rai played a crucial role in turning that long-awaited dream into reality. Gupta argued that accusing him before the investigation is finished is not just unfair to him personally, it is also hurting Ayodhya's image.
Truth will be sorted from falsehood once the probe wraps up
Gupta said the entire matter is being investigated on the instructions of Uttar Pradesh's chief minister, and he is confident the truth will come out in full once the inquiry is complete, separating fact from rumour. He added that strict action will follow against whoever is ultimately found guilty. The Vyapar Mandal also stressed that the Ram temple is the centre of faith for crores of devotees, and that the case should not be turned into a political or personal slanging match, arguing instead that people should wait for a fair, impartial investigation. Traders appealed to let the investigating agencies finish their work before anyone draws conclusions, and urged people to steer clear of rumours in the meantime.
Sant Samaj first, now the business community stands with Champat Rai
It is worth noting that after the donation theft case surfaced, the Sant Samaj was the first to publicly back Champat Rai, and now Ayodhya's Vyapar Mandal has joined in his support as well. Both organisations share the same stance, that the theft must be investigated impartially and the guilty punished, but that branding anyone guilty without solid proof is neither fair nor appropriate for a place as central to public faith as Ayodhya.
