Akhilesh Yadav Attacks BJP Over Ram Mandir Donation Theft Allegations, Questions Accountability

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a sharp political attack on the BJP over the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft controversy, calling the matter a serious breach of public faith and questioning the accountability of those responsible for managing temple offerings. In an interview with NDTV, Yadav accused the BJP of having neither “sharam” nor “dharam” while referring to allegations that donations and offerings linked to the Ayodhya Ram Temple were siphoned off. The issue has gained political momentum after reports said eight people, many of them allegedly connected with temple operations, were arrested in the case. Yadav said the controversy was not only about money but about the trust of devotees who donated with religious belief and emotion. He also raised questions over the role of the temple trust, the Uttar Pradesh government and the investigation process, suggesting that people deserve full transparency in a matter connected with one of the country’s most sensitive religious institutions. The BJP has dismissed the opposition’s criticism as politically motivated and maintained that the matter is being investigated. The controversy has now become a major talking point in Uttar Pradesh politics, with opposition parties using it to question the BJP’s claims of religious commitment and clean governance. For the Samajwadi Party, the issue gives Akhilesh Yadav another opportunity to challenge the ruling party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, while for the BJP, the focus will be on ensuring that the investigation is seen as fair, transparent and credible. The case has also triggered wider public debate over how religious donations are collected, monitored and audited, especially when they involve emotions of millions of devotees.