Agartala, June 30:
Escalating its attack on the BJP over alleged financial irregularities linked to the construction and management of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Tripura Congress MLA and former minister Sudip Roy Barman on Tuesday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into what he described as multiple “scams” involving temple-related funds and land transactions.
Addressing a press conference alongside Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, Roy Barman alleged that several irregularities—including donations collected through Ram Shila campaigns, local fund collections before 2019, alleged inflated land deals in 2021, and procurement of prasad—required an independent investigation monitored by the apex court.
He alleged that ordinary devotees had contributed money in good faith and questioned whether those funds had been misused.
Roy Barman also accused the BJP, RSS, VHP and affiliated organisations of exploiting Lord Ram and religious sentiments for political gain, while calling for accountability from those responsible for the alleged financial irregularities.
Calling for legal action, the Congress MLA said the investigation should not be confined to lower-level functionaries but should identify and prosecute those allegedly responsible at the highest level.
He claimed that a probe by central agencies alone would not inspire confidence and therefore sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged transactions connected with the Ram Temple project.
Roy Barman further alleged that corruption had become institutionalised under the present dispensation and claimed that even religious institutions were not immune from alleged financial mismanagement. He urged people across the country to condemn any misuse of donations made in the name of religion.
Supporting the demand, Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha alleged that concerns over the utilisation of funds extended beyond Ayodhya and should also be examined in the context of temple development projects elsewhere in the country, including Tripura.
Referring to redevelopment works at the historic Tripureswari Temple in Udaipur, Saha alleged that financial irregularities had occurred during the implementation of the corridor project.
He claimed that shopkeepers displaced during the construction were yet to be properly rehabilitated and further alleged that funds from the temple trust had been diverted to construct temporary rehabilitation facilities, with the loan amount yet to be reimbursed.
Saha also alleged that allegations of corruption had surfaced in several temple corridor projects across the country and accused the BJP of remaining silent following recent controversies surrounding the Ram Temple trust.
The BJP and the Ram Temple Trust have repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing relating to the Ayodhya temple project. No judicial finding has established the allegations made by the Congress leaders.
