Ayodhya Ram temple offering controversy: Big demand of Congress, investigation should be done under the supervision of Supreme Court, appeal to dissolve the trust

The controversy over offerings and donations in the grand Shri Ram temple of Ayodhya has now taken a completely political form. Congress has opened a front against the Modi government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Center regarding this alleged financial irregularities. The party clearly says that this whole matter is not just about manipulation of money, but is related to the faith of crores of Ram devotees in the country and the world. In such a situation, its fair and transparent investigation is very important.

In fact, while talking to journalists at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla raised many serious questions on this issue. He demanded in blunt words that this entire episode should be investigated under the supervision of the Supreme Court so that milk can be separated from milk and water can be mixed and there is no scope for any kind of doubt.

Request to CJI to take suo motu cognizance

Considering the seriousness of this matter, Congress has directly appealed to the Chief Justice of the country (CJI) to intervene. Rajiv Shukla said that since this is a very sensitive topic related to the religious sentiments of crores of people, the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of it. He argues that if the Supreme Court itself monitors the case, then only the investigating agencies will be able to work impartially without any political pressure. The Congress leader said that the investigation process should be completely transparent and whoever is found guilty, strictest legal action should be taken against him.

Demand to dissolve Ram Mandir Trust

Amidst this controversy, Congress has directly pointed fingers at the current form of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Rajeev Shukla has demanded that the present Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust should be dissolved immediately and it should be reconstituted afresh. He said that instead of the command of the operation of the temple being in the hands of any political party or thinkers associated with it, it should be handed over to the four Shankaracharyas, prominent saints-mahatmas and eminent religious figures of the country. In fact, Congress believes that political interference in religious institutions should be completely stopped so that the faith of the devotees is not shaken.

Rajeev Shukla lashed out at BJP-RSS, asked PM to break his silence

During the press conference, the Congress leader launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He alleged that these organizations are deliberately appointing their favorites and people associated with their ideology in the temple trusts, so that religious institutions can be given a political colour. Shukla said that every penny offered to the temple should be accounted for and should be used only for religious and social purposes. He has also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on this entire incident.

Why focus only on lower employees? Questions raised on FIR

Congress is not satisfied with the action taken so far in the case and the FIR registered. Rajiv Shukla raised the question that why the scope of investigation is being limited only to lower level employees? He asked that if manipulation of donations and offerings on such a large scale is coming to light, is it possible without the connivance or knowledge of senior officials of the temple management? Investigating agencies will have to fix accountability at every level, no matter how big the accused is. Along with this, Congress also expressed strong objection to the ‘Mandir Cell’ formed in the organizational structure of BJP and said that political parties should limit themselves to issues of public interest.