Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that no sadhus or saints were involved in the theft of donations from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He made the remarks during the state assembly session on Tuesday, according to The Times of India.
The chief minister said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found no evidence linking religious figures to the crime. He added that the individuals who stole the money have been arrested, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The theft case has sparked political tension in the state. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, raised the issue during the assembly session, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of shielding those responsible. The opposition demanded a government response, according to The Hindu and ThePrint.
The Samajwadi Party staged protests in the assembly over the matter, alleging that the BJP was protecting the culprits. The opposition’s claims were met with a sharp rebuttal from the chief minister, who defended the investigation’s findings.
The Ram Mandir, a major Hindu pilgrimage site, has been at the center of national attention since its consecration. The theft of donations from the temple has become a sensitive political issue in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP holds power.
The SIT’s investigation appears to have concluded that the theft was carried out by individuals without any connection to the temple’s religious leadership. The chief minister’s statement aims to clarify that the incident does not reflect on the temple’s management or the broader religious community.
Observers will be watching whether the opposition continues to press the issue in the assembly and whether any further details emerge about the arrested suspects or the recovered funds.
