Mayawati Warns Against Politicising Ram Temple Donation Theft Case

Lucknow :  Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the reported embezzlement of offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Describing the ongoing situation as "extremely serious and worrying," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister demanded strict action against the culprits while firmly cautioning political parties against turning the sensitive issue into a political playground.  

Taking to social media platform X, Mayawati noted that media reports detailing regular instances of theft, financial misappropriation, and tampering with holy offerings at the newly constructed shrine are deeply distressing to devotees. She emphasized that individuals found guilty of stealing from the temple should not be spared under any circumstances. However, she underscored that utilizing this crisis for political mileage is counterproductive and morally incorrect.  

To safeguard the future integrity of the temple's treasury, the BSP chief proposed structural reforms. She urged the temple administration to adopt the transparent accounting and management systems successfully utilized by other highly renowned and famous shrines across India. According to Mayawati, replicating these established best practices would permanently resolve public grievances and prevent further discrepancies.  

Beyond the immediate financial scam, Mayawati delivered a broader message on the health of Indian democracy, warning against the "criminalisation of politics, the politicisation of crime, and the blind religiousisation of politics." She stated that keeping these domains distinct is vital for upholding the true spirit of the Constitution.Her remarks emerge at a crucial time as a state government-formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) digs deeper into the financial scam.

An Ayodhya court recently sent eight individuals linked to the cash-counting division into 14 days of judicial custody. The ongoing high-profile probe has triggered intense political sparring between the ruling and opposition parties in the state.