Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 3: Expressing strong dismay over the Ram Temple donation fund embezzlement episode, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has advocated for an impartial probe into it while called upon the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint during this difficult time.
In a video statement on Friday, the RSS’s first reaction to the scandal, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of Hindu society and millions of devotees of Lord Ram and suggested that the anti-Hindu factions should not be allowed to misuse this opportunity to spread misinformation about Hinduism.
Calling for an impartial probe into the alleged embezzlements of donations, he said strict action was required in the case to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future, adding that devotees were ‘pained’ by the incident. “The unfortunate incident of theft from the donation boxes placed in the Shri Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya has wounded the sentiments and reverence of the entire society and Ram devotees, and we are all hurt by this event,” Mr Hosabale said.
The organisation noted that, at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and, based on its recommendations, has initiated legal proceedings. “It is essential to ensure that anyone found guilty during the investigation is brought to justice and awarded the strictest punishment in accordance with the law,” the RSS added.
The RSS further stated, “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), along with the entire Hindu society, naturally expects the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an exceptional matter and take effective measures to address all shortcomings in the temple’s administration and management. Such steps are necessary to ensure that the faith and devotion of millions of Lord Ram’s devotees in the Ayodhya temple remain unwavering and unbroken. The prevailing confusion and uncertainty must come to an end.”
Hosabale said the current “state of confusion and uncertainty” must end. “In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives,” he said. “We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity and true ‘dharmikta’, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society,” Hosabale added.
Highlighting the stance of the RSS, Mr Hosabale said, “This highly condemnable incident should be treated as exceptional and that effective steps be taken with utmost seriousness to address all deficiencies in the arrangements and operations, so that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remains unbroken and unwavering. The current confusion and uncertainty must end.” “Our expectation is that all necessary initiatives will be taken by the temple management and the special investigation team constituted by the administration,” he added.
Further, he expressed the SIT constituted by the UP government would conduct a neutral probe in the matter. “The UP government has initiated a probe by constituting an SIT. It is important to ensure that strict action is taken against the guilty.” “The RSS believes that strict action is needed and steps should be accordingly to ensure that the faith of devotees continues. We expect an impartial probe in this. The RSS also requests the entire Hindu society to exercise restraint and be patient, and not to allow anti-Hindus to take an opportunity of this incident,” he added.
The Temple theft allegations have created a massive row and currently the case is being investigated by an SIT, which has arrested eight people, including the former Trust general secretary Champat Rai’s close aide Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav.
The other accused arrested in the case are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, and Subhash Srivastava.
The matter continues to be investigated by the SIT, which will also re-audit Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s accounts for the past five years. Sources said the “re-audit will cover construction-related expenditure as well as jewellery and other gold and silver items received as donations.”
The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 based on a preliminary report submitted by the SIT and eight persons have been arrested so far.