Sanjay Raut Alleges Ram Mandir Donation Funds Used To Engineer Political Splits
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has alleged that funds donated to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya were siphoned off and used to trigger political splits. He demanded accountability for missing donations, including silver bricks and cash, while a government SIT probe continues.
Highlights
- •Sanjay Raut claims ₹2,000 crore in Ram Mandir donations is missing or misappropriated.
- •The MP alleges temple funds were used to facilitate political splits in TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT).
- •Raut asserts that a ₹1 crore cheque and 25 kg of silver donated by his party were never acknowledged.
- •A Uttar Pradesh SIT is currently investigating embezzlement allegations, with eight arrests made so far.
In a significant political development, Sanjay Raut, a Member of Parliament representing the Shiv Sena (UBT), has leveled serious accusations regarding the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donation funds. Speaking in Mumbai on Friday, the leader claimed that financial contributions intended for the temple in Ayodhya were diverted to facilitate political defections within several opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and his own faction of the Shiv Sena.
The core of the allegation centers on a purported shortfall in the donation collections managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Sanjay Raut stated that preliminary assessments by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is currently examining claims of embezzlement, indicate that approximately ₹2,000 crore from the donation pool is unaccounted for. He argued that these substantial sums have been injected into the political arena to influence party dynamics and secure the support of various legislators.
Allegations of Mismanaged Contributions and Transparency Issues
Beyond the claims of fund diversion, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader questioned the internal management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to Sanjay Raut, his party had previously contributed a cheque worth ₹1 crore along with over 25 kilograms of silver bricks to support the temple's construction. However, he maintained that the organization never provided an acknowledgement or official receipt for these offerings. He expressed deep concern over the lack of communication from the trust regarding these specific donations, suggesting that numerous high-value items, particularly silver, have gone missing.
The controversy arises while the Uttar Pradesh government is actively probing reports of financial irregularities at the site. The SIT investigation has already resulted in the arrest of eight individuals linked to the embezzlement allegations. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Sanjay Raut criticized the continued involvement of trust officials, including General Secretary Champat Rai, and alleged that prominent BJP leaders in the state are protecting those responsible for the financial discrepancies.
The Ram Mandir, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024, stands on the site of the former Babri Masjid. Spanning 2.7 acres, the temple has emerged as a major religious destination, annually drawing an estimated five crore pilgrims. These latest allegations regarding Ram Mandir donation funds have intensified the scrutiny surrounding the management of the sacred site as investigations into the missing assets continue to unfold.
