New Delhi, 30 June (H.S.): The Congress on Tuesday accused the government of attempting to shield those allegedly involved in the Ram Temple donation and land irregularities case after Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai was stopped in Ayodhya. Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh alleged that party leaders seeking action in the matter were prevented from visiting the temple and gathering facts.

In a post on the social media platform X, Jairam Ramesh said the entire country is distressed over the alleged theft of offerings made at the Shri Ram Temple. He claimed that an FIR was registered only after public pressure and the submission of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, but alleged that the principal accused continue to remain at large despite the passage of considerable time.

Ramesh further alleged that instead of taking strict action against those responsible, the authorities were preventing opposition leaders from visiting Ayodhya. He said Congress leaders travelling to offer prayers at the Shri Ram Temple had been placed under what he described as house arrest in an undemocratic manner. According to him, the people of the country want immediate action against those responsible, and anyone protecting the accused is equally accountable. He added that the public is closely watching the developments and expects strict action in the case.

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai also posted on X, stating that a Congress delegation was scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Monday, June 30, to offer prayers at the Shri Ram Temple. He alleged that upon reaching Ayodhya, the police detained him and made him sit inside a police vehicle. Rai questioned why the government was preventing devotees from visiting Ayodhya if everything was transparent.

The nine-member Congress delegation led by Ajay Rai included Members of Parliament Tanuj Punia, Kishori Lal Sharma, Rakesh Rathore and Ujjwal Raman Singh, along with MLA Virendra Chaudhary and other party leaders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar