Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the opposition amid the escalating political row over the alleged embezzlement case linked to the Ram Temple, accusing rival parties of targeting Hindu sentiments while remaining silent on other issues.
His remarks came a day after the Ram Mandir Trust accepted Champat Rai's resignation as its general secretary. Responding to sustained criticism from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over the controversy, Yogi alleged that the opposition was "making a mockery of Hindu faith" — a charge the BJP has itself faced from its political rivals in recent days.
Stepping up his offensive, the chief minister questioned why leaders of the anti-NDA bloc had not raised their voices over what he described as the sale of large tracts of land in the name of the Wakf.
"Regarding the alleged theft in Ayodhya, over which you are making a mockery of Hindu faith, tell me, did you speak up even once about thousands of hectares of land, both within the state and across the country, being sold off in the name of the Wakf. This land belonged to the poor and the weaker sections of society. This was land that could have been allotted to the poor via leases; where convention centers could have been built; where shops and commercial establishments could have been created for poor traders," Yogi said while tearing into the opposition.
The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also directed criticism at the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of actions that, according to him, had undermined Hindu beliefs.
"Was Hindu faith not hurt when they misused funds donated by Hindus—meant for religious sites—to build boundary walls for graveyards? Was Hindu faith not hurt when they ran illegal slaughterhouses, facilitated the killing of Gau Mata and allowed her to be crushed at the hands of smugglers? Was Hindu faith not hurt when they unleashed bullets and lathis upon Ram bhakts in Ayodhya?"
Continuing his attack, Yogi took a swipe at the opposition's changing political positions.
"Even a chameleon would likely feel embarrassed when compared to these 'Samajwadis' and Congress members, thinking; look, a new species has emerged that changes colours even faster than we do".
Meanwhile, a preliminary report submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Uttar Pradesh government has found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
As part of its investigation, the SIT reviewed CCTV footage, recorded statements from trust officials, bank officers, security personnel and counting staff, and examined bank records, seizure documents, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the trust's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
According to the report, CCTV footage covering the period from April 27 to June 5 repeatedly captured members of the counting staff allegedly hiding bundles of currency notes and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, shoes and other concealed locations. The footage also purportedly shows other employees assisting or shielding such activities.
The SIT stated that the available recordings document around 70 instances of alleged theft or pilferage during the period under review. It added that statements from employees and discrepancies between counted cash and bank deposits indicate that similar incidents may have taken place before April 27, although the lack of earlier CCTV footage made it impossible to determine their actual extent.
The report further noted that several security protocols outlined in the trust's SOPs—including frisking, biometric attendance, restrictions on carrying personal belongings, CCTV surveillance and other prescribed safeguards—were not effectively enforced.
