Ayodhya’s Sri Ram Mandir hundi theft

Mysuru: Former MP V.S. Ugrappa has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged theft from the hundi (donation box) at Ayodhya’s Sri Ram Mandir.

Addressing a press conference at the Indira Gandhi Congress Bhavan here yesterday, Ugrappa alleged that the sanctity of Lord Rama’s shrine had been violated by “modern-day Ali Baba and forty thieves.”

He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the issue and said, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leaders, RSS functionaries and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members had also not commented on the matter.

Calling for a fair and transparent investigation, Ugrappa said that the case should be probed by the CBI under the supervision of a Supreme Court Judge to safeguard the country’s dignity.

He alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) had arrested only eight people involved in counting donations while leaving the Temple Trust’s 11 Trustees untouched, claiming it indicated an attempt to suppress the case. “People are asking whether the Trustees themselves had a share in this loot,” he said.

Ugrappa further alleged that the Centre, the RSS and the VHP must accept responsibility, arguing that the Ram Mandir Trust was constituted under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

He demanded that Modi, Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath take moral responsibility for the incident, resign from their posts and apologise to the people.

“This is not merely financial misappropriation. It is an insult to Lord Rama, the Ramayana and the nation. It amounts to treason,” he alleged.

Among those present at the press conference were Mysuru City Congress President R. Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijay Kumar, former MLA Nanjundaswamy, former Corporator M. Shivanna, leaders Zakir Pasha, K. Mahesh and Mahadev.