The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed high political drama on Tuesday as Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs, led by party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest over the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Raising slogans such as “Chadawa chor, gaddi chor,” the Opposition leaders accused the BJP government of failing to protect the faith and trust of millions of devotees.
The SP MPs gathered on the Parliament premises carrying placards and demanding a transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities involving temple offerings. The protest came a day after senior SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav announced that the party would raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament, arguing that the matter concerns the religious sentiments of crores of devotees in India and abroad.
Addressing the media, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the reported theft of donations had deeply hurt followers of Sanatan Dharma. He claimed that while some arrests had been made, the “real masterminds” behind the alleged embezzlement were yet to be identified. The SP chief also questioned the credibility of the ongoing investigation and demanded accountability from both the Uttar Pradesh and Central governments.
The controversy stems from an ongoing probe into the alleged theft of cash donations and valuables offered by devotees at the Ram Temple. So far, multiple arrests have been made, and investigators have widened the probe to examine the role of several more employees involved in counting and handling temple donations. Reports suggest that the investigation is looking into the hiring process and financial management practices connected with the temple trust's donation operations.
The BJP has rejected the Opposition’s allegations, maintaining that the law is taking its course and that the investigation is being conducted fairly. The party has accused the SP of politicising a sensitive religious issue ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due next year. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged financial irregularities.
The alleged donation theft has become a major political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh, with the Opposition seeking to corner the BJP over an issue closely linked to the Ram Temple. As Parliament continues its Monsoon Session, the matter is expected to trigger further heated exchanges between the ruling party and the Opposition.
