105 Ayodhya temple thefts a ‘national disgrace’, says Shiv Sena (UBT) in Saamana editorial

Shiv Sena UBT on Wednesday attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP over the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple describing the reported incidents as a ldquostain on national priderdquo in an editorial published in the party mouthpiece lsquoSaamanarsquoThe editorial came a day after the Supreme Court took note of a status report submitted by the Special Investigation Team SIT probing alleged irregularities in the handling of temple donations According to the court record the SIT identified 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the templersquos counting room after examining CCTV footage and other evidence The Uttar Pradesh government has told the court that the SIT will file its first chargesheet by September 25Saamana targets BJP over temple donation caseThe Shiv Sena UBT editorial alleged that those who came to power under the banner of Hindutva had compromised the sacrifices associated with the Ram temple movementIt referred to the SIT findings placed before the Supreme Court and said the disclosure had contradicted earlier statements by BJP leaders who had rejected allegations of irregularities in the management of temple donationsThe editorial specifically referred to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and alleged that he had earlier dismissed opposition claims as ldquofalse propagandardquo aimed at maligning HindutvaThe revelation before the Supreme Court is a resounding slap in the face of those who tried to cover up the thefts by calling the allegations an antiHindutva conspiracy The selfproclaimed watchdogs Chowkidars of Hindutva turned out to be the thieves themselves the editorial assertedThe allegations and political claims in the editorial come as the investigation into the alleged donation irregularities remains under wayEditorial compares alleged thefts with historic invasionsThe Shiv Sena UBT editorial also drew a comparison between the reported incidents at the temple and historical invasions claiming that even Mahmud of Ghazni had not looted Hindu temples 105 timesThe editorial accused individuals linked to the BJP of being involved in alleged financial irregularities surrounding land transactions in Ayodhya It alleged that some people acquired land near the temple site at lower prices and later sold it to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust at substantially higher pricesThe party further alleged that Ayodhya was being transformed from a religious pilgrimage centre into a commercial venture benefiting corporate groups and supporters of the ruling establishmentThese claims were made by the Shiv Sena UBT in its editorial and are separate from the findings of the SIT investigation into the alleged unauthorised removal of currencyOpposition alleges attempts to avoid Parliament debateThe editorial also criticised the BJP over what it described as efforts to prevent a discussion in Parliament on the alleged temple donation theftsThe Shiv Sena UBT alleged that disruptions in Parliament were being used to avoid a debate on the issue and questioned why there should be resistance to discussing the handling of donations made by devoteesIt further referred to the role of Kar Sevaks in the Ram temple movement and alleged that those who were not present during the Babri Masjid demolition now held positions of influence in the temple trustThe editorial claimed that cash and ornaments associated with Lord Ram and Goddess Sita had been stolen or mishandled The SITrsquos findings currently before the Supreme Court however concern 105 instances of unauthorised currency removal or concealment from the counting room The court has also been informed that the SIT found no discrepancy in the handling of certain silver and other valuable donationsParty credits agitation with bringing issue into focusThe Shiv Sena UBT credited the Oppositionrsquos public campaign against the alleged irregularities with bringing the issue into wider public focusThe editorial specifically referred to the partyrsquos lsquoRam Raksharsquo campaign and its protests over the issue It claimed that without such political pressure the alleged irregularities could have continued and expandedThe party also raised concerns about the possibility of temple property being transferred or sold to favoured business groups though such allegations were not part of the specific 105 instances of unauthorised currency removal recorded in the SIT findings placed before the Supreme CourtThe Shiv Sena UBT meanwhile concluded its editorial by questioning the broader issue of accountability in the management of temple donations and public offerings It asked how the countryrsquos public institutions could be expected to safeguard public funds if donations made to a major religious institution were allegedly not adequately protected