'Pained & angered': RSS fumes over Ram Temple row, warns of 'anti-Hindu conspiracies'

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday said the organisation was "extremely pained and angered" over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and called for strict action against those found guilty. He also urged the Hindu community to exercise restraint and "thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the society by exploiting this unfortunate incident." In a video statement posted on X, Hosabale said, "The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees andwe are all extremely pained and angered by this event." Hosabale further welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and said those found guilty should face stringent punishment. "At the earnest request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations. It is essential to ensure that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment," he added. The RSS leader also said it was natural for the Hindu community to expect the temple trust to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and take corrective measures to address any shortcomings in temple administration. "It is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to expect the Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations. This is crucial to ensure that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remain unbroken and steadfast," he said. "The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end. In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives. We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity, and true dharmikta, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society," he added. He also appealed to the Hindu community to remain patient and not allow the controversy to be exploited by hostile elements. "The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident," Hosabale said. "The grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a center of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society, owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores of Rambhakts," he added. The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 following a preliminary report submitted by the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. So far, eight accused have been arrested. According to police, nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash, along with some foreign currency, has been recovered from six of the accused and the investigation is continuing.