Raj Thackeray alleges ₹18 crore yearly theft at Siddhivinayak Temple amid Ayodhya donation row

Amid the political controversy over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that around ₹18 crore was siphoned off annually from Mumbai’s renowned Siddhivinayak Temple before the irregularities were uncovered.

Addressing a public gathering, Thackeray claimed that corruption had even reached places of worship and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue. Referring to the Ayodhya controversy, he also alleged that ₹1,400 crore had been stolen from the Ram Temple, saying devotees should not have to worry about the safety of their donations.

Quoting a letter allegedly written by eight trustees of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, Thackeray said employees involved in stealing money from the temple’s donation boxes were caught due to the vigilance of the trustees. According to him, the temple’s weekly donation collection rose from less than ₹50 lakh to nearly ₹1.5 crore after the alleged theft was detected.

“Every year, ₹18 crore was being stolen,” Thackeray claimed.

Temple trust responds

Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and a Shiv Sena leader, confirmed that nine employees were arrested in connection with the alleged theft.

He said the trust had initiated legal action wherever necessary and attributed the sharp rise in donations to improved management and reforms implemented by the trust.

According to Sarvankar, the temple’s annual income has increased from ₹114 crore two years ago to ₹182 crore.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where several accused have already been arrested.

Parliament protest triggers legal action

The Ayodhya donation controversy also spilled into Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

On Friday, Opposition MPs staged a symbolic “donation theft” protest inside the Parliament complex. Independent MP Pappu Yadav, dressed in saffron robes, performed a skit in which MPs placed money into donation boxes while he symbolically slipped cash into his pocket, alleging misappropriation of temple donations.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad also participated in the protest.

Following complaints from religious leaders and BJP representatives, an FIR was registered in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad. According to police, the complaint alleged that the protest hurt religious sentiments and insulted Sanatan Dharma.

Seer Jagatguru Balak Das condemned the demonstration, calling it an insult to Lord Ram and Hindu beliefs, while the controversy continues to fuel political exchanges between the ruling NDA and the Opposition.