Chandigarh, June 27 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Chandigarh unit on Saturday staged a protest outside the Municipal Corporation building in Sector 17 over the alleged theft involving offerings worth crores of rupees at Lord Shri Ram’s temple in Ayodhya.

The protest coincided with the arrival of Chandigarh Administrator-cum-Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for the Special House meeting of the local civic body.

At the protest, the AAP stated that the alleged theft of devotees’ offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has deeply hurt the faith and sentiments of millions of Ram devotees across the country. The party said questions raised regarding jewellery, cash, and other donations offered with devotion and trust at the feet of Lord Shri Ram have caused anguish among devotees nationwide.

The party said the so-called “Ayodhya Model”, which was promoted across the country for years, is now facing serious questions over alleged irregularities in construction work, land purchases, offerings, and other matters. It added that if the government was genuinely committed to fighting corruption, it should ensure a fair, independent, and time-bound investigation into the entire matter rather than limiting itself to merely formal actions.

The AAP alleged that if investigations and action in such a serious matter were confined only to lower-level employees, it would create the perception that those actually responsible were being protected, and that if accountability extended to higher levels, no individual should be considered above the law.

The party questioned Chandigarh Administrator Kataria and the BJP, asking whether even the offerings made by devotees at Lord Shri Ram’s temple in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh were not safe; if not, who would take responsibility for safeguarding the faith and trust of millions of Ram devotees.

The party said Lord Shri Ram did not belong to any one political party, adding that Shri Ram was a symbol of faith, culture, and belief for millions of people, and in any matter concerning devotees’ faith, the truth must come out and action must be taken against those found guilty.

During the protest, the AAP also alleged that the BJP and the administration used the police to suppress public sentiments and opposition voices being raised on this issue.

–IANS

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