RSS Breaks Silence on Ayodhya Temple Donation Theft, Says Devotees' Faith Deeply Hurt, Seeks Action Against Guilty

As the issue of theft from the donation boxes at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya snowballed into a major controversy across the country, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—the ideological fountainhead of the Sangh Parivar—on Friday admitted that the brazen theft of devotees' donations had deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society.

The RSS said that society in general, and the Sangh Parivar in particular, was deeply pained and angered by the incident.

In a message posted on social media, RSS Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said that the theft of temple offerings had deeply shaken the faith and belief of millions of devotees.

The Sangh said the incident was not merely a case of theft but an attack on the faith and devotion of millions of Ram devotees. Demanding strict action against those responsible, it also stressed the need for significant improvements in the temple's management and governance.

Construction of Ram Temple Result of Generations of Struggle

In a strong message, Dattatreya Hosabale said that the grand temple at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi had become a centre of reverence, faith, and devotion for the entire Hindu society because of the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice, and martyrdom of crores of devotees.

"The unfortunate incident of theft from the donation boxes kept at the Shri Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees. We are all deeply pained and angered by this incident," he said.

RSS Demands Severe Punishment for Those Found Guilty

The RSS Sarkaryavah said that, at the earnest request of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations.

"It is essential to ensure that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment. It is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to expect the Trust to treat this highly condemnable incident as an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations," he said.

Present State of Confusion and Uncertainty Must End

The RSS general secretary further said that this was crucial to ensure that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remained unshaken.

"The current state of confusion and uncertainty must end. In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives," he said.

"We are confident that, through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity, and true dharmikta, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of Hindu society."

On behalf of the RSS, Dattatreya Hosabale also called upon the entire Hindu society to exercise patience and restraint during this difficult period and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces that, he said, were attempting to malign Hindu Dharma and Hindu society by exploiting the unfortunate incident.