India probes alleged $20M Ram temple donation scam

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, one of the country’s most politically and religiously significant landmarks, officials confirmed on Friday.

The probe centers on claims that millions of dollars in donations made by devotees may have been misappropriated. The temple, inaugurated in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands on the site where the historic Babri Mosque once stood before its demolition by Hindu activists in 1992.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to examine the allegations. The inquiry was reportedly initiated following recommendations from the trust responsible for managing the temple.

“We have set up an SIT inquiry on the recommendation of the trust that administers the temple,” Adityanath said during a public event. He also urged anyone possessing documentary evidence related to the allegations to cooperate with investigators.

While officials have not disclosed the exact scale of the suspected embezzlement, opposition leaders and several local media outlets claim the amount involved could exceed $20 million. The allegations have sparked widespread debate, given the temple’s symbolic importance and the enormous public support behind its construction.

The Ram Mandir project reportedly cost around $240 million and was financed entirely through donations from devotees and supporters across India and abroad. The temple attracts thousands of visitors daily, generating substantial offerings. According to Indian media reports, daily donations average approximately $10,000 and can rise dramatically during religious festivals and auspicious occasions.

The controversy has cast a spotlight on a site that has long been at the heart of India’s religious and political discourse. Many Hindus believe the temple marks the birthplace of Lord Ram, a revered deity in Hinduism. The Babri Mosque, which stood on the site for centuries, was demolished in a highly contentious event that reshaped Indian politics.

The movement to build the Ram Temple became a cornerstone issue for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), helping transform it into a dominant political force. The temple’s inauguration was widely viewed as a landmark achievement for Modi and his Hindu nationalist agenda.

As investigators begin their work, the case is expected to attract intense public attention, with many watching closely to see whether the allegations reveal isolated wrongdoing or deeper concerns about the management of one of India’s most prominent religious institutions.