A political controversy has erupted over allegations of misappropriation of donations and offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) leader Jayant Patil calling for complete transparency in the management of religious institutions.
The issue gained traction after police reportedly recovered cash from the residence of a temple employee in Ayodhya district during an investigation into the alleged theft of temple donations.
According to sources, around ₹12 lakh in cash was seized from the home employee associated with the temple. Investigators have alleged that the amount could be linked to a larger embezzlement racket involving funds collected from devotees.
Sources familiar with the probe have suggested that nearly ₹7 crore may have been siphoned off by individuals entrusted with collecting, counting and depositing donations into the temple trust’s bank account.
The allegations first surfaced after several sadhus and local residents in Ayodhya claimed that large sums of cash and gold offered by devotees had gone missing.
Opposition leaders subsequently demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
However, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected the allegations. Trust general secretary Champat Rai has denied any theft of temple funds.
Reacting to the controversy, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil expressed concern over the reported irregularities, stating that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a symbol of faith for millions of Indians and that any misuse of donations offered by devotees amounts not only to financial wrongdoing but also to a betrayal of public trust.
“Devotees who offer donations at the feet of Lord Ram do so with deep faith and reverence. If those contributions are being diverted, it is not merely a financial scam but a breach of the trust reposed by millions of worshippers,” Patil said in a post on social media.
Patil questioned whether the contributions made by devotees in good faith were reaching their intended purpose. He also drew parallels with Maharashtra, referring to allegations concerning the illegal occupation of lands belonging to Hindu religious institutions.
He maintained that before any legal protection is extended to such encroachments, the properties should first be restored to the original temple trusts.
Emphasising the need for accountability in the administration of religious institutions, Patil said religion, faith and devotion should never become instruments of politics.
“At the very least, complete transparency must prevail in the court of God,” he said.
The police investigation into the alleged financial irregularities at the Ayodhya temple is currently underway.
