The Indian National Congress has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged theft of donations for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The dispute centers on the accountability of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the transparency of funds collected for one of India's most significant religious projects. The opposition argues that an internal or limited investigation is insufficient to uncover the truth behind the missing funds.
Congress criticized the RSS after the organization issued a statement providing a "clean chit" regarding the donation row [1]. A Congress spokesperson said the clean chit given by the RSS is disgraceful and shameful [2]. This statement followed a previous accusation on Saturday, July 4, in which the party said the RSS is shedding crocodile tears over the Ram temple donations theft issue and cannot absolve itself of responsibility [3].
The controversy follows earlier reactions from state leadership. On June 19, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that whoever the culprit, will not be spared [4].
Congress representatives in New Delhi said the RSS is attempting to downplay the theft. The party maintains that only an independent, judicially monitored investigation can ensure that all culprits are identified, and the stolen funds are recovered. The RSS has not issued a detailed rebuttal to the specific demand for a Supreme Court probe in the recent reports [1], [2].
“The clean chit given by the RSS is disgraceful and shameful.”
This escalation transforms a financial dispute into a high-stakes political confrontation. By demanding Supreme Court oversight, Congress is attempting to move the investigation beyond the influence of the RSS and the state government, potentially turning a local theft allegation into a national referendum on the transparency of the temple's funding mechanisms.
