Ayodhya, June 26 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Friday and alleged that the FIR registered in the donation embezzlement case was merely a formality, claiming that influential people involved in the case were being protected.

Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the temple, Kejriwal said, “I have prayed to Lord Ram for happiness and prosperity. I have also prayed that whoever is involved in the scam here should be punished by God. The FIR is just for show. Eight lower-level employees have been arrested, but bigger people are involved and they are being protected. I will address a press conference at 4 P.M.”

During his visit, Kejriwal also offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple and recited the Hanuman Chalisa.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal also faced protests in Ayodhya, where a group of sadhus raised “Go Back” slogans and burned his effigy.

Speaking to IANS, one of the protesting sadhus said, “Kejriwal had earlier stated that instead of constructing the Ram Temple after a 500-year struggle, a hospital, school or other public facility should have been built where people of all communities could come. Today, the grand Ram Lalla temple has been built. He also used to say that idols are an illusion and that God resides in the heart. If he truly believes that, then there was no need for him to come here. That is why we burned his effigy.”

Earlier, Kejriwal questioned the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the alleged theft of donations at the temple, calling it an “eyewash” as no FIR had been registered in the matter till then.

Speaking to reporters, the AAP chief had said: “According to media reports, these people have stolen Lord Ram’s sandals, garlands, lamps, jewellery, diamonds and gems, and even the offerings made to the Lord. Cash amounting to Rs 200 crore and around 2 kg of silver have also allegedly been stolen.”

“I am extremely pained to hear all this and there are crores of devotees who are saddened with all this,” he added.

Further questioning the formation of the SIT in the matter, he said: “This SIT has been formed on the basis of which law? The team doesn’t have any power to conduct a probe. Therefore, this SIT formation is just an eyewash and a way to deceive people.”

The AAP Convener alleged that the SIT has been formed in order to “protect big names”.

“It (SIT) is questioning the workers; such a huge theft that has been carried out for such a long time would not have been possible without the support of influential people,” he alleged.

Kejriwal said that the alleged stealing of so many sacred items from Ayodhya’s Ram Temple has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus.

–IANS

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