Cong demands SC-monitored probe into Ayodhya Ram Temple offerings scam
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Guruvayur: Stepping up its attack on the BJP over the alleged financial irregularities in the management of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, the Congress on Saturday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe, alleging that the Uttar Pradesh government's Special Investigation Team (SIT) was trying to shield the real culprits.
Addressing the media in Guruvayur, AICC General Secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal described the alleged diversion of temple offerings as the biggest temple-related financial scam in the country's history. He claimed that funds donated by lakhs of devotees had been misappropriated with the knowledge of the Centre-appointed temple Trust.
Calling the ongoing SIT investigation a "mere eyewash", Venugopal alleged that the probe was not moving in the right direction and accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh of protecting those responsible.
He further alleged that there was evidence of an attempted cover-up, claiming that CCTV footage had been deliberately erased and security personnel's warnings had been ignored.
Questioning why the temple Trust continued to function despite the allegations, Venugopal asked why the government was unwilling to order a judicial inquiry under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court if it had nothing to hide.
"The silence of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister over an issue that has shaken the faith of crores of devotees amounts to tacit approval for the guilty," he said.
Venugopal also announced that the Congress would raise the issue during the Parliament session beginning on July 20 and seek a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The party further said it would intensify its nationwide campaign against what it described as corruption carried out in the name of faith.
Launching a broader political attack, Venugopal alleged that the BJP had repeatedly used the Ayodhya issue for electoral gains while exploiting religious sentiments for political and financial purposes.
He also claimed that allegations of irregularities in the management of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples pointed to a disturbing pattern, asserting that places of worship were being mismanaged under BJP rule.
With IANS inputs