Ujjain, June 27 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Digvijaya Singh, on Saturday stepped up the party’s attack on the Ram Mandir Trust, alleging irregularities in the handling of donations and land transactions linked to the temple and demanding registration of an FIR against Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra.

Addressing a press conference in Ujjain, Singh stated that questions had arisen over the management of donations received for the temple, including cash, jewellery, silver bricks and foreign contributions.

He also alleged irregularities in land purchases associated with the Trust and called for an independent investigation into the matter.

“The issue involves corruption in land purchases, the donations made by devotees, the 200 kg of silver bricks donated by the Sindhi community, jewellery donated by a woman and the fact that no receipts were issued. Even donations received from foreign countries were allegedly not acknowledged with receipts. These allegations must be investigated and the truth should come before the people,” Singh said.

Demanding action against the Trust’s office-bearers, the Congress veteran said, “An FIR should be registered immediately. Champat Rai and Anil Mishra should be arrested. The people who donated in the name of Lord Ram deserve answers and complete transparency regarding the utilisation of their contributions.”

Singh also launched a sharp political attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), accusing them of exploiting religious faith for political purposes.

“The RSS and the VHP have nothing to do with religion. They are misleading the followers of Sanatan Dharma and those who donated for the temple. There could be no greater dishonesty or betrayal of the faith of Sanatan followers than this,” he claimed.

The former Chief Minister said he had obtained documents relating to the alleged irregularities and that more details would be made public after the records were scrutinised.

He also renewed his criticism of the management of the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, alleging encroachment on temple land and claiming that seers were being sidelined in decision-making.

Singh announced that the Congress would launch a public outreach campaign through its panchayat-level committees to raise the issue of the Ram Mandir donation irregularities across villages in Madhya Pradesh.

–IANS

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