Venugopal claimed that organisations affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, including the VHP and RSS, had collected donations from devotees for the Ram temple over the past two decades, and alleged that those funds and gold had been siphoned off.
He further alleged that the misappropriation took place with the knowledge of office-bearers of the temple trust, whom he claimed had been appointed under the prime minister’s supervision.
The Congress leader accused the BJP and the RSS of exploiting religion for political gain. “They are only interested in looting in the name of Hindus and dividing people for votes. This is not just a loot, but an attack on the faith of the devotees,” he said.
Venugopal maintained that, for the Congress, the issue was one of accountability rather than politics, accusing the BJP and the RSS of using religion for electoral purposes. He also questioned the silence of the BJP’s Kerala unit, claiming it suggested an attempt to shield those responsible.
The Congress leader further alleged that similar accusations of financial irregularities had surfaced in connection with the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.
With PTI inputs
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