- UP Congress alleged its Ayodhya delegation was placed under house arrest.
- Ajay Rai claimed police prevented leaders from visiting the Ram Mandir.
- Congress linked the move to the ongoing Ram Mandir donation embezzlement controversy.
- UP government has constituted an SIT, with eight arrests made in the case.
GG News Bureau
Ayodhya, 30th June: The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Tuesday alleged that a delegation of its leaders, led by state unit president Ajay Rai, was placed under house arrest in Ayodhya while attempting to visit the Ram Mandir, escalating the political confrontation over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.
Ajay Rai, who arrived in Ayodhya on Monday night to lead a delegation of Congress MPs and party leaders for darshan at the temple, claimed he was detained by the district police at a city hotel and later shifted to the Acharya Narendra Dev University guest house, where he alleged the leaders were prevented from proceeding to the shrine.
In a video statement, Rai said the delegation intended to seek the blessings of Lord Ram and pray over the alleged donation theft and land scam controversy linked to the temple. He accused the administration of harassing Congress leaders and stopping them from visiting the temple.
Videos shared by Congress leaders showed police personnel present inside and outside the accommodation where the delegation was staying.
Congress MP from Amethi Kishori Lal Sharma, who was part of the delegation, alleged that the state government had prevented them from offering prayers. He accused the BJP government of stopping devotees instead of taking stronger action against those allegedly involved in the donation embezzlement.
Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that it was restricting access to the temple and calling the move an example of “dictatorship.”
The controversy comes amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir. The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested eight accused, including six individuals involved in counting donations.
Following the controversy, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai resigned on moral grounds, while trustee Anil Mishra also stepped down.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said the government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach against anyone attempting to undermine public trust. While the exact amount allegedly embezzled is yet to be officially established, investigators estimate that ₹7–7.5 crore may be missing, with nearly ₹80 lakh recovered so far.
