RSS demands tough action in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case; Vinay Katiyar says he spoke to PM Modi

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded strict punishment for those found guilty, while urging restraint against attempts to exploit the controversy to target the Hindu community.

RSS Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said those responsible must face “severe punishment” after the investigation is completed.

RSS breaks silence

Hosabale’s statement marks the first public response by a senior RSS leader since the controversy erupted over alleged pilferage of donations from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

His remarks came on the same day that former BJP MP and Bajrang Dal founder Vinay Katiyar claimed that trust functionaries Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and Anil Mishra could face jail. Katiyar also said he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the issue and called for the trust to be reconstituted.

Police have so far arrested eight people in connection with the alleged theft, while Rai and Mishra have resigned from the trust.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by the controversy, Hosabale said the entire Hindu society, including the RSS, expected the trust to treat the incident as an extraordinary matter and take corrective steps to strengthen temple management and administration.

“It is essential to ensure that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment,” he said, adding that the trust and the government-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) should take all necessary measures to restore public confidence.

He said the alleged theft had deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of Ram devotees and stressed that faith in the Ayodhya temple must remain intact.

RSS backs SIT probe

With the controversy carrying political significance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next year, the RSS expressed support for the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team.

Hosabale said the SIT was formed at the request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and urged that its investigation proceed thoroughly.

He also appealed to the Hindu community to exercise patience and restraint while warning against what he described as attempts by “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” to exploit the episode to malign Hindu society.

The issue is also expected to figure in the RSS’ upcoming Prant Pracharak Baithak in Karnataka beginning July 10.

Katiyar seeks trust overhaul

Separately, Vinay Katiyar described the alleged theft as an attack on the faith of millions and said he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Modi.

“I spoke to PM Modi on this matter. He asked what would happen next. I told him everything would be fine,” Katiyar said.

Claiming that funds had been embezzled, he called the episode “a robbery in God’s house” and said it had sent the wrong message across the country.

Katiyar welcomed the SIT investigation but alleged that attempts were being made to shield certain individuals.

Congress attacks RSS response

The Congress criticised the RSS’ response, accusing it of attempting to shield those responsible.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh called the RSS’ position “disgraceful and shameful,” alleging that the organisation was trying to provide a “clean chit” despite what he described as large-scale embezzlement.

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also accused the RSS of prioritising damage control over accountability, saying its defence of the trust had exposed its “real priorities.”