Yogi Adityanath Targets Opposition Over Ram Mandir Donation Theft

Opposition Accused Of Targeting Hindu Faith

Addressing a public meeting at Pratapgarh, Adityanath said that the opposition, by citing one incident, was attacking the Hindu faith and also the image of developing Ayodhya.

The Chief Minister said that land that could have been allotted to poor and weaker sections has been grabbed and sold by some elements.

"Regarding the alleged theft in Ayodhya, over which you are making a mockery of Hindu faith, tell me, did you speak up even once about thousands of hectares of land, both within the state and across the country, being sold off in the name of the Wakf. This land belonged to the poor and the weaker sections of society. This was land that could have been allotted to the poor via leases; where convention centers could have been built; where shops and commercial establishments could have been created for poor traders," Yogi said.

Yogi Says Ram Temple Trust Itself Sought SIT Probe

Defending the government on the Ram Temple donation theft, Adityanath said, "The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust itself sought an SIT investigation. I had said the truth would come out. An FIR was registered on the basis of the SIT probe and action was taken against those against whom evidence was found."

He added, "But when it comes to Waqf, why do the Samajwadi Party and Congress suddenly fall silent? Why do they put a lock on their mouths over theft in the name of Waqf?" 

SIT Finds Evidence In Donation Theft Probe

Meanwhile, according to a preliminary report submitted to the UP government by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), prima facie evidence of theft was found in the donation counting at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. In the course of the investigation, the SIT analysed CCTV footage, recorded statements of trust members, bank employees, security and counting staff and reviewed bank accounts, seizure papers, MoU, and SOPs. 

The SIT noted that the video footage revealed roughly 70 occasions of reported theft. Based on the investigation, it stated that prescribed safety precautions, which included frisks, biometric check-ins, bans on personal belongings, surveillance using CCTV, and other protocols outlined in the trust's SOPs, were not adequately implemented.