Source The Hindu
AYODHYA / NEW DELHI — Breaking its silence on the intensifying controversy surrounding financial irregularities at the Ram Temple, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday issued an official response, demanding the “strictest possible punishment” for those involved in the alleged theft of donation boxes.
In a video statement released by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, the organization expressed profound anguish, describing the incident as a deep blow to millions of devotees worldwide. However, alongside the call for accountability, the RSS issued a strong plea for Hindu unity, cautioning that “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” are actively seeking to exploit the scandal to malign the faith and disrupt social harmony.
A Movement Shaken by Inside Betrayal
The statement follows a tumultuous week in Ayodhya, where a local court recently remanded eight individuals to 14 days of judicial custody under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for theft, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. Compounding the gravity of the case, the accused include former close aides to high-ranking members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The political and spiritual fallout has been immediate. Outgoing Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have already stepped down under intense public pressure, while the Ayodhya Bar Association has passed an unprecedented resolution refusing to legally represent any of the accused.
Acknowledging the widespread anger brewing among the public, Hosabale remarked:
“The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a center of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society through the sacrifices and dedication of generations of devotees. The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes has deeply hurt the sentiments… we are all extremely pained and angered by this event.”
Calls for Restraint and Administrative Overhaul
While the political opposition has seized upon the controversy to demand supreme court-monitored probes and criticize the ruling establishment, the RSS has backed the ongoing investigation by the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT). Hosabale urged the public to exhibit patience while investigators do their work.
Crucially, the RSS leader did not spare the temple administration, calling on the Trust to treat the lapse as an “exceptional matter” and systematically overhaul its internal operational architecture. The RSS emphasized that public confidence can only be restored through absolute financial transparency, flawless operational tracking, and a renewed commitment to institutional sanctity.
Tightening Security at the Garbhagriha
In immediate response to the expanding SIT probe—which has now been extended until mid-July—the Ram Temple management has radically altered its cash-handling guidelines. The new protocols include:
Zero-Pocket Uniforms: Staff tasked with cash-counting are now required to wear specialized pocketless attire.
Continuous Surveillance: Unbroken, multi-angle video recording of all donation collection zones.
Strict Oversight: Multi-layered security checks and continuous high-level supervision during the clearing of donation boxes.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to hold a critical meeting on July 6, where formal show-cause notices will be issued to the departed office-bearers to present their explanations before further legal or disciplinary steps are formalized.
For the RSS, entering the final months of its historic centenary year, the scandal represents a highly sensitive organizational challenge. By pairing a demand for severe administrative transparency with an appeal to safeguard the community from external exploitation, the Sangh Parivar is attempting to steady the ship and protect the spiritual legacy of the Ayodhya movement from long-term damage.
