Opposition leaders allege systemic graft in Ram Mandir donations

Masood argues that the trust lacks necessary oversight and should mirror the structure of the Vaishno Devi Trust to ensure accountability. He claims the management has failed to provide a transparent accounting of collected funds, instead opting for a strategy of obfuscation. According to the Congress leader, the current lack of transparency serves only to exploit the faith of the public.

Akhilesh Yadav escalated the rhetoric following a meeting with spiritual leader Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, labeling the alleged misappropriation a "Mahapaap"—a grave sin within Sanatan Dharma. Yadav dismissed the government-appointed Special Investigation Team as a mere whitewash, citing concerns that an individual facing fraud charges under Section 420 is involved in the probe. His skepticism reflects a broader political demand for a complete restructuring of the trust. While an SIT preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government identified initial evidence of theft during the counting of offerings, the ongoing investigation remains a flashpoint for political confrontation between the opposition and the ruling BJP.