Ayodhya temple donation scam probe a mere farce: Shiv Sena (UBT) in 'Saamana'

The Shiv Sena UBT on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the alleged multicrore donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple alleging that the investigation into the case lacks credibility and accusing the government of failing to ensure accountabilityIn an editorial published in its party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled party questioned the response of the temple authorities and the Union government while referring to recent remarks made by Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra MishraEditorial cites Mishras remarks on donation theftThe editorial referred to Mishras recent statement in which he described the alleged donation embezzlement as a blot that had left everyone feeling deeply insultedAccording to the editorial Mishra had earlier put the BJP in an uncomfortable position by stating that the firing on Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya during the tenure of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was not carried out under a direct government orderHowever the Shiv Sena UBT argued that Mishras expression of regret over the alleged donation theft was inadequate given the seriousness of the allegationsThe editorial claimed that approximately Rs 14000 crore had been collected over the past 12 to 13 years in the name of the Ram Temple project and alleged that there had been no public accountability regarding the fundsParty alleges largescale financial irregularitiesThe editorial further alleged that the donation theft amounted to at least Rs 500 crore and claimed that gold silver and jewellery offered at the temple were also missingIf valuable offerings made to Lord Ram have been stolen the temple trustrsquos treasurer and board of trustees should have been the first to face criminal charges Instead Mishra merely let out a whimper of regretThe party alleged that responsibility should extend beyond those directly arrested and questioned why senior members associated with the temple administration had not faced actionClaims of impact on pilgrims and local economyThe Shiv Sena UBT claimed that the alleged theft had hurt the sentiments of devotees and affected religious tourism in AyodhyaAccording to the editorial the controversy has resulted in a sharp decline in the number of pilgrims visiting the temple It claimed that footfall had dropped by nearly 75 per cent reducing waiting times for devotees from around four hours to between 30 and 45 minutesThe editorial also claimed that the reduced number of visitors had affected the local economyDarshan waiting times have been reduced from four hours down to just 3045 minutes due to thinning crowds Hotel occupancy has plummeted to just 25 per cent causing severe anxiety among investors who are building a hundred new hotels in the area Street vendors selling garlands and prasad who previously earned Rs 4000Rs 5000 daily are now struggling to make even Rs 1000 Erickshaw drivers and local restaurants have witnessed a massive drop in daily business severely damaging the towns religious tourism ecosystemrsquorsquo said the editorialQuestions raised over Centres responseThe editorial also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not publicly commented on the alleged donation theft noting that he and BJP leaders had played a prominent role during the temples inauguration and consecration ceremonyIt further expressed disappointment that the issue was not mentioned during the Prime Ministers Mann Ki Baat radio programme and alleged that the government had failed to acknowledge public concerns surrounding the caseInvestigation labelled a coverupConcluding its editorial the Shiv Sena UBT alleged that the ongoing police investigation and arrests were merely a coverup rather than a genuine effort to uncover the truth behind the alleged theftThe party also alleged that by protecting what it described as the main thieves associated with the temple administration the credibility of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar had been damaged