‘If Swami Prasad Maurya has guts…’: Priest slams ex-UP minister over Ram Mandir donation ‘theft’ remarks

A fresh row has broken out over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case after former Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya made controversial remarks questioning Lord Ram's ability to protect the temple from alleged theft. His comments triggered a strong backlash from Hindu priests and seers, who accused him of insulting religious sentiments and demanded legal action.

The controversy stems from allegations regarding the alleged siphoning of donations made at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Earlier this month, claims surfaced that offerings worth several crores of rupees had been misappropriated, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Authorities have since widened the investigation, with police registering an FIR and making arrests in connection with the case.

Reacting to the developments, Maurya questioned how valuables and donations could allegedly be stolen from a temple dedicated to Lord Ram. His remarks quickly sparked outrage among religious leaders, who termed the statement offensive and unnecessary.

Among the strongest reactions came from Ayodhya priest Mahant Bhakt Charan Das Maharaj, who challenged Maurya over his comments. The priest said that if Maurya had the courage, he should refrain from making statements that hurt the faith of millions of devotees. He maintained that while any wrongdoing in the donation case should be thoroughly investigated and the guilty punished, using the issue to make derogatory remarks about Lord Ram was unacceptable.

Other saints and seers also criticised the former minister, alleging that he had repeatedly made controversial statements about Hindu beliefs and scriptures. Some religious leaders backed demands for a formal FIR over Maurya's remarks, arguing that freedom of expression should not come at the cost of hurting religious sentiments.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also called for a transparent investigation into the alleged donation theft while insisting that the sanctity of the Ram Mandir should not be questioned without evidence. Religious leaders stressed that the investigation should establish the facts and ensure accountability if any financial irregularities are found.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged people not to cast aspersions on Ayodhya or the Ram Mandir over the alleged donation theft. He assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty after the investigation is completed, while emphasizing that the temple's sanctity must be preserved.

The alleged donation theft case has become a politically sensitive issue, drawing reactions from opposition leaders, religious organisations and the ruling establishment. While political parties continue to trade charges, investigators are examining financial records and other evidence to determine whether any misappropriation of temple donations took place.

As the probe progresses, the controversy surrounding Maurya's remarks has added another layer to the ongoing debate, with religious leaders insisting that criticism of alleged financial misconduct should remain separate from comments that target religious beliefs.