Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a sharp political attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress during a public event in Ayodhya. He alleged that during the SP government’s tenure, temple properties and donations offered by devotees were misused. The Chief Minister claimed that funds donated to temples were diverted to “build mosque walls.”
“The Samajwadi Party used to take over temples and pocket the money donated by devotees. The offerings made at temples were used to build mosque walls,” Adityanath said while addressing the gathering.
His remarks come at a time when a political controversy is underway over the alleged theft of devotees’ donations and financial irregularities at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The case is currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Police have arrested several accused persons so far, and the investigation remains ongoing.
‘Ram Temple Was Built Because of BJP’s Commitment’
Referring to the construction of the Ram Temple, the Chief Minister said that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had questioned the existence of Lord Ram for years. He asserted that the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya became a reality only after the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power.
Adityanath said that following the construction of the Ram Temple, Ayodhya has emerged not only as a major centre of religious faith but also as a hub for tourism, investment, and cultural heritage. He added that the state government is continuously working for the city’s overall development.
Mentions Hanumangarhi
During his speech, the Chief Minister also referred to Hanumangarhi and accused the Samajwadi Party of pursuing appeasement politics. He alleged that during the previous government, there had been an attempt to offer namaz inside the Hanumangarhi premises and said the opposition should respond to the issue.
Political Heat Intensifies Amid Donation Controversy
The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Uttar Pradesh. Opposition parties have questioned the temple trust’s functioning and financial transparency, demanding an impartial investigation. The BJP, however, has maintained that the alleged involvement of a few individuals should not be used to malign the entire trust and has said that legal action is being taken against those found guilty.
Political observers believe that with the Assembly elections approaching, Ayodhya, the Ram Temple, and issues related to religious faith have once again moved to the centre of Uttar Pradesh’s political discourse.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Samajwadi Party nor the Congress had issued an official response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s allegations.
