The Shiv Sena criticized the Central government for its handling of the alleged multi-crore donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The party questioned the silence of top leadership and dismissed recent expressions of regret as insincere.
In an editorial in its publication ‘Saamana,’ the Shiv Sena highlighted comments by Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra, who referred to the embezzlement as a “blot” that has deeply offended many. The editorial pointed out the lack of accountability in the collection of an estimated Rs 14,000 crore for the temple project over the past 12–13 years.
The editorial accused the temple trust’s treasurer and board of trustees of involvement in the alleged theft of at least Rs 500 crore, along with valuable items like gold, silver, and jewelry. It noted a significant decline in pilgrim footfall and economic repercussions on local businesses in Ayodhya due to the incident.
The Shiv Sena raised concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue and criticized the ongoing police investigation as a “cover-up.” The editorial expressed disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment or apology from the Prime Minister regarding the theft and its impact on the temple and the community.
