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VHP Defends Champat Rai Amid Investigation into Ram Mandir Donations
The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations of misappropriation of funds related to donations for the Ram Mandir. The SIT has commenced its inquiries into these purported irregularities. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a prominent organization linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), issued a statement asserting, “It is inappropriate to cast aspersions on everyone at this stage,” emphasizing the need to differentiate between actual dishonesty and mere negligence. The VHP insists on the importance of reinforcing the operational integrity of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
In light of the allegations surrounding the temple's finances in Ayodhya, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has pledged accountability for every rupee entrusted to it. The trust proactively requested the formation of the SIT as soon as concerns surfaced. Champat Rai, the trust's general secretary and VHP vice-president, has already cooperated with the investigation, affirming that anyone found guilty must face consequences.
Support for Rai has emerged from various VHP leaders, including national spokesperson Vijay Shankar Tiwari, who highlighted Rai's lifelong commitment to the Ram Mandir movement. Tiwari remarked,
“Champat Rai Ji dedicated his entire life to the Ram Mandir movement... No false allegations can tarnish his character.”He expressed confidence in Rai's resilience against accusations, stating, “The lifespan of a lie is very short. Truth alone triumphs.”
Frustration is brewing within VHP ranks regarding how the allegations against Rai have been managed. Some members believe that persistent rumors are an attempt to tarnish the trust's reputation, calling for a careful examination of the situation. A senior VHP official articulated that “Dragging such senior functionaries who have worked throughout their lives for Ram Lalla is not acceptable.”
The VHP also called for the SIT's investigation to encompass other trusts that have collected funds for the Ram Mandir, such as the Ramalaya Trust and Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Punarnirman Trust. Furthermore, the organization urged vigilance against what it describes as “malicious attempts to politicize Ayodhya in the lead-up to the 2027 Assembly elections.”
Critiquing the political opposition, the VHP stated that parties like Congress and the Samajwadi Party have historically opposed the Ram Mandir and have even questioned the deity's existence in court. They dismissed demands for an all-party committee to oversee the investigation, questioning the competence of political representatives in criminal matters. “Hindu society will never accept the politicization of this issue,” the statement concluded.
Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, weighed in, stating,
“I do not think it is appropriate to use the word ‘scam’... The matter pertains to the handling of those funds.”He acknowledged some accounting discrepancies but urged patience until the SIT's findings are released, reiterating that accountability must apply to all, regardless of status.
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