Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati from Shree Dwarka Shardapeeth strongly criticized the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He emphasized that misappropriation of offerings made to Lord Ram is not just a financial crime but a severe betrayal of the faith of millions of devotees. Swami Sadanand Saraswati called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the incident, cautioning against scapegoating lower-level staff.
The Shankaracharya expressed dissatisfaction with the current temple administration system, stating that governments often lack a proper understanding of Sanatan Dharma and scriptures. He highlighted the need for sacred sites like Ayodhya to be respected as centers of spiritual faith rather than just tourist attractions. Swami Sadanand Saraswati criticized the selective government interference in Hindu temples compared to other religious institutions like mosques, churches, and gurudwaras.
Advocating for transparency, the seer proposed the establishment of an independent “Sanatan Board” to oversee Hindu temples. He suggested forming a religious council with Shankaracharyas from the four peeths and revered saints to ensure proper governance. The Shankaracharya stressed the importance of maintaining temples as places of devotion and service, emphasizing the need to avoid commercializing the religious experience at the Ram Mandir.
