New Delhi, 02 August (H.S.): Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari on Sunday alleged that hundreds of crores of rupees were misappropriated during the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He claimed that gold and silver offerings were melted down and sold, and the proceeds were invested in the stock market. Describing the alleged irregularities as a robbery of the faith of millions of devotees, he demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Tiwari alleged that the irregularities were not limited to the alleged theft of temple offerings but had begun as early as the foundation stone-laying phase of the project. He further claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had consistently used the Ram Temple as an electoral issue and that the actual construction became possible only after the Supreme Court's verdict.

He also alleged that the consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) was conducted before the temple was fully completed and claimed that the Shankaracharyas were not invited to the ceremony, despite traditionally being the appropriate religious authorities to perform such rituals.

Tiwari further alleged that ₹112 crore was spent on preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ayodhya, claiming that flowers and chairs were procured at prices far above market rates.

He also alleged that seven major land transactions took place during the construction of the Ram Temple, with payments allegedly made at up to 17 times the prevailing circle rate. Citing one example, he claimed that a piece of land purchased for ₹2 crore was sold just 10 minutes later for ₹18 crore.

The Congress leader asserted that the Prime Minister could not distance himself from responsibility over the alleged theft of temple offerings. He alleged that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the issue but would have to answer the allegations.

Reiterating the party's demand, Tiwari called for a Supreme Court-monitored SIT investigation to ensure a thorough inquiry and strict action against anyone found guilty of misusing funds linked to the faith of millions of devotees.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar