Kumar Bahukhandi
Shri Ram Mandir— channel24india.com File
“The unfortunate incident of theft in 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”: RSS second-in-command, Datttreya Hosabale
New Delhi: In its first reaction to the Ram Mandir donation theft, the RSS on Friday said that the alleged theft has “deeply hurt” the sentiments and faith of the entire society and called for ensuring that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment.
The RSS also asserted that the “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” are seeking to malign the Hindu dharma by exploiting “this unfortunate incident” and called upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during “this difficult moment” to thwart such “conspiracies”.
“The unfortunate incident of theft in 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,” the RSS second-in-command, Datttreya Hosabale, said in a statement on X.
He further added that everyone is “extremely pained and angered by this event.”
Hosabale said it is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the RSS, to expect the Ram Mandir trust to treat this “highly condemnable” incident as an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations.
It is essential to ensure that anyone found guilty after the investigation will face severe punishment, he added.
The RSS general secretary also emphasised that 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.
Hosabale noted that the grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a centre of reverence, faith and devotion for the entire Hindu society owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice and “martyrdom” of crores of Rambhakts (devotees).
“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,” he added.
The RSS top brass is likely to discuss the donation theft issue during its annual three-day long Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak baithak in Karnataka next week.
The RSS leadership and functionaries, it is learnt, have been bombarded with complaints and queries on the issue, and requests for urging the UP government to give “strictest punishment to those who have hurt the Hindus sentiments by indulging in the gravest sin.”
