Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Monday described the alleged donation theft at the Ram Mandir as "very unfortunate" and said the state government was taking the matter with the utmost seriousness. He assured that a thorough investigation was underway and that those found responsible would face appropriate legal action. The alleged theft has sparked political debate in the state, with the ruling government and opposition parties trading accusations over the issue.

Speaking to reporters, Pathak said the incident had saddened devotees across the country but insisted that the government was committed to ensuring accountability. "The incident in Ayodhya Dham is very unfortunate. But the entire country and every follower of Sanatan knows that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress consistently opposed the Ram temple," he said. According to the deputy chief minister, the state administration was treating the case as a priority and would ensure that the investigation reached its logical conclusion.

Pathak also launched a sharp attack on the Indian National Congress and the Samajwadi Party, accusing both parties of engaging in appeasement politics and attempting to politicise the alleged donation theft. He claimed the opposition had consistently opposed the construction of the Ram temple and therefore had "no moral right" to comment on matters concerning Ayodhya. He further alleged that leaders of both parties had questioned whether Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and had taken a similar position during proceedings before the Supreme Court in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.

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Referring to the Ram temple movement of the early 1990s, Pathak alleged that the same political parties were responsible for police firing on unarmed devotees during protests in Ayodhya. "These are the same people who got bullets fired at unarmed devotees and stained Ayodhya with blood. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have no moral right to speak on Ayodhya Dham," he said. He also accused opposition leaders of making objectionable remarks about Lord Ram, adding that "Lord Ram will never forgive them." His remarks intensified the political confrontation over the alleged theft and reignited debate over the parties' historical positions on the Ram temple movement.

The alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram temple has become a fresh flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh politics, with the ruling government highlighting its commitment to investigating the case while criticising the opposition's response. The controversy comes as the Ram temple remains one of the country's most significant religious and political landmarks, attracting millions of devotees from across India and abroad. Authorities have not yet disclosed the full findings of the investigation, and the probe into the alleged theft is continuing. As the inquiry progresses, the issue is expected to remain at the centre of political discourse, with both the government and opposition likely to continue exchanging allegations over accountability and the management of donations at one of India's most prominent places of worship.

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