Ex-BJP MP conditions Ram temple funds line ‘serious’; insulting Sanatan Dharma: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, May 26 (ANI): Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav during a press conference at the party office in Lucknow on Tuesday. (Photo by ANI) | Photo credit: ANI

A day after the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in donations received by the Ram Temple Trust, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vinay Katiyar termed the matter “very serious” and said some members involved in the management of the trust are “thieves”. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav called the episode an “insult to Sanatan Dharma”.

“Investigation is going on and it is a serious matter. People sacrificed for the temple. People like us, Kalyan Singh sacrificed the government, people went to jail, after that the temple problem progressed. Some are thieves present, we will remove them. Either they run away or we throw them out,” said Mr. Katiyar, a former MP who represented both the Houses of the Ramle and a key official.

Reacting to the SIT probe, Mr Yadav said it was “very unfortunate” that officials would investigate the temple’s priests. “It is an insult to Sanatana Dharma that such a prestigious temple must be investigated. Officials will investigate those who uphold our faith. What greater calamity could happen? It is shameful for every person who believes in Sanatana Dharma, the whole country is watching.”

Calling the allegations a “question mark” on faith, responsibility and trust, the Congress said the BJP could not “avoid responsibility”. “Alleged misappropriation of donations by devotees at Ram Mandir is a matter of faith, responsibility and trust. When an institution built on the devotion of millions faces such serious allegations, transparency cannot be optional. The BJP, which has sought political dividends from the temple, cannot now shirk responsibility when questions arise. An independent, credible probe,” wrote Ramek Prabhu with the well-deserved responsibility of Abcresh. Singhvi, on X.

Shahnawaz Alam, national secretary of the Congress, demanded a high-level probe and termed the real estate deals dubious. “Some time ago, it came to light that powerful people bought land around the temple and profited from skyrocketing real estate prices. But the government did not act. The intention of those controlling the management was mala fide from the beginning. We demand that the truth come out because corruption cannot be tolerated in such a sacred place,” he said.

Published – 14 Jun 2026 22:24 IST