AAP launches signature drive to advocate action against Ram Temple ‘dacoity’

Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal speaks during the Sunderkand Path in New Delhi on Sunday in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations. Senior party leader Manish Sisodia is also present. | Photo credit: ANI

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday (July 12, 2026) launched a nationwide signature campaign demanding strict punishment for those involved in the chanda chori (stealing of offerings) from the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal addressed the people at the recitation of Sundarkand at Japanese Park in Rohini Sector 10, which he called a gathering of Ram bhakts. He said he was signing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with devotees present at the event to demand justice.

He urged devotees across the country to organize Hanuman Chalisa recitals and collect signatures for the letter. “The movement should continue until the accused are hanged. We will not rest until those who have committed this mischief in the house of Lord Ram are brought to justice and hanged. This is Bhagwan Ram’s order and our holy duty,” Mr Kejriwal said.

He added that the “dacoity” has deeply hurt Ram devotees around the world. “70 cases of theft were caught on CCTV in 40 days. Then eight months of CCTV footage was deleted. We all kept demanding action. We believed that those at the top would do something. But now it is clear that they will do nothing because people from their own party, their own organizations and all their affiliates are involved,” said the former Delhi chief minister.

Loot ‘in Ram’s Name’

He added that those who did this theft do not believe that Ram is Bhagwan. “They want votes only in the name of Ram. They are looting the country in the name of Ram. They are looting the people in the name of Ram. They are looting the government in the name of Ram. But they do not consider Ram as Bhagwan,” Mr Kejriwal said.

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said the event was a “political stunt”. “Whenever Mr. Kejriwal finds himself politically cornered, he tries to improve his political standing by holding Sundarkand recitations in Delhi. This ploy is an attempt to influence the Hindu voters of Punjab and other states where elections will be held in the near future,” Malhotra said.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the campaign is being waged to ensure that those who robbed the Ram Mandir and played with the faith of crores of Hindus get the harshest possible punishment so that no one ever dares to commit such a sin again.

Addressing the Prime Minister, Mr. Sisodia added, “PM Modi, you describe yourself as a bhakt of Prabhu Shri Ram. If your faith is true, present the truth to the people. Do not protect the guilty. Make sure they are punished. We hope the truth will come out, accountability will be rectified and justice will be served.”

Published – 12 Jul 2026 21:55 IST