The Congress on Wednesday demanded the immediate arrest of former Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai in connection with the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. The party also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise, alleging that he made a “mistake” by selecting members to administer the Ram Temple Trust.
The demand came after Rai reportedly questioned the role of the State Bank of India (SBI) in the temple’s donation-counting process in a statement submitted to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). At the same time, Rai maintained that he would respond to all allegations against him only after the SIT submits its final report.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said the Prime Minister cannot distance himself from the controversy because he was responsible for appointing members to the Trust without consulting the Shankaracharyas and other prominent spiritual leaders.
Gohil clarified that the Congress is not in favour of government control over temple affairs. However, he reiterated the party’s demand that the current Trust be dissolved. According to him, a new Trust should be formed with members chosen by the Shankaracharyas, a retired Supreme Court judge, representatives of the Nirmohi Akhara, and other respected religious leaders.
Referring to earlier allegations of a land scam in Ayodhya, Gohil claimed that the present situation could have been avoided if the Trust had been dissolved and Champat Rai removed at that time.
He also questioned reports that Rai had handed over the keys to the donation collection system to his driver.
“Who will do that? Champat Rai should be arrested immediately,” Gohil said.
According to Gohil, no further evidence is required if Rai himself admits that the keys were with his driver.
“If the keys, which were your responsibility, were handed over to your driver, then you are directly responsible,” he said.
Gohil further alleged that Rai is confident he will receive protection from Prime Minister Modi. He claimed this confidence is the reason Rai has said he will wait for the SIT’s final report before responding to the allegations. Gohil also alleged that the SIT is functioning under political pressure.
He claimed that if an independent investigation were conducted, Rai would remain behind bars for the rest of his life. Targeting the Prime Minister, Gohil said Modi cannot escape responsibility because he personally appointed Rai to the Trust.
“If I appoint someone and that person commits wrongdoing, then I too bear responsibility,” Gohil said.
He also referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, quoting his remark: “If the watchdog does not bark, you should understand that it knows the thieves.”
Gohil further said that Champat Rai had once described Prime Minister Modi as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and alleged that the Prime Minister never corrected that statement.
The Congress leader also pointed to temple donation figures, claiming that before the alleged embezzlement came to light, the temple received daily donations of around ₹16-18 lakh. According to him, daily collections have now increased to ₹24-26 lakh, raising suspicions that nearly ₹10 lakh may have been siphoned off every day before the alleged theft was exposed.
The Congress has maintained its demand for the immediate arrest of Champat Rai, the dissolution of the current Ram Temple Trust, and the formation of a new Trust comprising respected religious leaders and independent members.
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