Digvijaya Singh to move Ayodhya court over Ram Temple donation irregularities

Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Friday announced that he would move an Ayodhya district court in Uttar Pradesh over the alleged irregularities in donations collected for the construction of the Ram Temple, saying devotees have the right to know how their contributions were utilised.

Veteran Congress leader Singh announced this while participating in a ‘Sadbuddhi Yajna’ and a collective fast organised by the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress near Mata Mandir in Bhopal on Friday.

The protest was held over allegations of financial irregularities in the Ram Temple donation fund. Former minister P.C. Sharma, Mahila Congress state president Reena Borasi Setia and several party workers attended the programme.

Addressing the protest, Digvijaya Singh said he had donated Rs 1.11 lakh for the construction of the Ram Temple and still possessed the receipt and a copy of the cheque.

“I donated Rs 1.11 lakh for the construction of the Ram Temple. I still have the receipt and a copy of the cheque. After consulting my senior counsel on July 5 or 6, I will go to Ayodhya and file a case in the court,” Singh said.

The former Chief Minister said that crores of devotees had donated to the temple with faith in Lord Ram, and that any allegation of financial irregularity should be investigated impartially.

“People made donations in the name of Lord Ram with complete faith. If there has been any misuse of those funds, an impartial investigation should be conducted, and those found responsible should face action,” he stated.

The Congress leader further stated that if the court established financial irregularities in the use of the donation money, he would seek the return of his contribution and donate it to another recognised religious institution or a Shankaracharya’s trust.

The Congress veteran also dismissed allegations that he was anti-religion, saying he had always followed the Sanatan tradition, regularly observed religious rituals and had undertaken the Narmada Parikrama.

He further questioned the financial transparency of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Also, he raised questions over the formation and functioning of the Ram Mandir Trust.

“There should be complete transparency in the use of religious donations. Devotees have the right to know how their money has been spent, and every institution handling such funds should be accountable,” Singh said.

He also announced that he would put up a plaque outside his residence reading, “Entry of donation thieves is prohibited in my house,” urging people to seek greater transparency in the use of religious donations.

IANS