Ram Temple Donation Row Becomes New Political Flashpoint as Congress Targets BJP
The alleged theft of crores of rupees from the Ram Temple donation box has sparked a fresh political battle, with Himachal Pradesh Congress President Vinay Kumar launching a sharp attack on the BJP and vowing to take the issue to the people.
Addressing the controversy, Vinay Kumar said the Congress would actively raise concerns over the alleged looting of Ram Temple donations, the plight of unemployed youth, and the NEET paper leak before the public. He claimed that people across Himachal Pradesh had contributed generously towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and that reports of theft involving donation money had deeply hurt devotees and donors alike.
According to Kumar, faith was politicized and the funds donated by devotees were misused. Referring to the reported theft of nearly ₹7 to ₹7.5 crore from the temple’s donation box in June 2026, he questioned both the security arrangements at the temple and the role of the trust responsible for managing donations.
Earlier, Kumar joined Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, cabinet ministers, and other Congress leaders in offering special prayers at the local Ram Mandir and Shri Hanuman Temple in Jakhu. During the visit, prayers were offered for the arrest of those responsible for the alleged theft. Kumar remarked that those involved would ultimately have to answer to Lord Ram and the people.
The Congress leader also revived allegations related to a land transaction in Ayodhya, claiming that land purchased for ₹2 crore was later acquired for ₹18.5 crore within minutes, calling it one of the biggest examples of corruption linked to the BJP.
Demanding greater transparency, Kumar called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter and urged authorities to release a white paper detailing the complete accounting of donations received for the Ram Temple. He announced that the Congress would soon organize protests across districts and blocks in Himachal Pradesh to inform the public about what the party describes as a major scam.
Taking a broader swipe at the BJP, Kumar accused the party of repeatedly using religious sentiments for political gain and alleged that it was weakening democratic institutions while misusing investigative agencies against opposition leaders.
He further alleged that the Centre had dealt a setback to Himachal Pradesh by discontinuing the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), claiming that BJP leaders from the state had failed to defend Himachal’s interests. According to Kumar, the people of the state now understand the BJP’s political strategies and are unlikely to be swayed by them in the future.
The controversy is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as Congress prepares to make the issue a key part of its public outreach campaign across Himachal Pradesh.
