A fresh political and religious controversy has erupted in Ayodhya after Hanuman Garhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das strongly criticised former Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya over his remarks related to the alleged Ram Mandir donation “theft” case, escalating tensions amid an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities linked to temple donations.

The controversy gained momentum after Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey alleged that donations worth between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore had been siphoned off. The allegations triggered a formal probe by authorities, who subsequently arrested eight individuals associated with the temple management. During searches conducted as part of the investigation, officials also recovered around ₹80 lakh from the residences of those arrested, intensifying scrutiny over the handling of donations connected to the temple system.

As the investigation unfolded, developments within the broader institutional structure added to the sensitivity of the matter. Reports indicated that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and senior trust member Anil Mishra resigned on Friday, according to individuals familiar with the situation. While the resignations have not yet been accompanied by detailed official explanations, they have further fueled public discussion and political debate over administrative accountability within the temple trust framework.

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Against this backdrop, former minister Swami Prasad Maurya made remarks that sparked widespread criticism from religious leaders. Speaking on the allegations, he reportedly questioned the implications of the incident by stating, “The robbers looted crores of rupees. There was theft in the temple and the shrine. They also stole silver and gold. But if Lord Ram could not punish those thieves, how can he protect you? If he cannot protect his own temple, how can he protect you?” His comments, as quoted in a media report, quickly circulated and drew strong reactions from various quarters.

One of the sharpest responses came from Hanuman Garhi priest Mahant Raju Das, who publicly condemned Maurya’s statement and demanded action against him. The priest accused the former minister of making provocative remarks on a deeply sensitive religious issue and challenged him to justify his comments. His reaction reflected the growing anger among sections of the religious community, who viewed the statement as an attack on faith and temple traditions.

The situation has further intensified political and religious divisions in the region, with both sides exchanging strong statements as the investigation continues. While law enforcement agencies proceed with their probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations, the issue has expanded beyond a financial controversy into a wider debate involving religious sentiment and political rhetoric.

With arrests already made, significant funds recovered, and senior trust members reportedly stepping down, the case has become a focal point of attention in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation in the coming days, while religious leaders and political figures remain engaged in a heated exchange over the implications of the allegations and public statements surrounding the incident.

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