Ajay Rai Alleges Arrest in Ayodhya Ahead of Ram Temple Visit Amid Donation Controversy

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai has alleged that he was arrested and placed under restriction by police in Ayodhya on Tuesday after arriving with a party delegation for a scheduled visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple amid an ongoing political controversy over alleged irregularities in temple donations.

The Congress party has also claimed that Rai was placed under house arrest shortly after reaching the city, describing the move as a “cowardly attempt” to prevent the delegation from carrying out its planned visit. The incident comes in the backdrop of heightened political tension surrounding allegations related to the management and alleged misuse of donations linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple trust.

According to party sources, Rai had travelled to Ayodhya as part of a Congress delegation intending to offer prayers at the Ram temple and engage with local stakeholders. However, he was stopped at the guest house of Kumarganj Agriculture University, located around 60 kilometres from Ayodhya headquarters, where he was allegedly confined by police personnel. The party further claimed that security arrangements were used to restrict his movement without formally explaining the grounds for the action.

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The Congress also stated that two other members of the delegation faced similar restrictions. Raebareli MP Kishori Lal Sharma was reportedly stopped near Ayodhya, while Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia was detained in Barabanki before he could join the visit. The delegation was part of a coordinated visit planned in connection with ongoing discussions around the alleged donation controversy and related administrative scrutiny.

Reacting to the development, Ajay Rai criticised the Uttar Pradesh government in a post on social media platform X, accusing authorities of acting out of political fear amid the controversy surrounding the temple donation issue. The Congress leader alleged that the restrictions imposed on him and other party members reflected an attempt to suppress political activity linked to the matter.

Police authorities have not issued an official detailed statement clarifying the reasons for restricting the Congress delegation’s movement. The incident has added to the political tension in Uttar Pradesh, where the Ram Janmabhoomi temple remains a sensitive and high-profile religious and political site, and where issues related to its administration and associated trusts continue to draw scrutiny from multiple political stakeholders.

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