NEW DELHI: A day after an FIR was registered over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday asserted that those found guilty would not be spared.Addressing the controversy at a public meeting in Deoria, Adityanath said the government took action against those accused in the alleged embezzlement immediately after the SIT submitted its report.“I was on a visit to Ayodhya on June 19. Even then, I had said that Ayodhya is a symbol of our unity, a symbol of the unity of India’s Sanatan Dharma. Do not cast aspersions on Ayodhya; learn to follow the dignity of Lord Ram,” the UP CM said.“Regarding the news that was coming about Ayodhya, we had said that an SIT had been formed, and our action would begin as soon as the SIT report came. As soon as the SIT report came, action began,” he added.During his address, Adityanath also launched a sharp attack against the opposition and warned against the politicisation of the issue.“One side used to say that Lord Ram doesn’t even exist, meaning these people wanted to deny Ayodhya itself. They kept fighting the case in court continuously, kept fielding armies of lawyers against the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, and the other side is the one that would wield sticks and fire bullets at those chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Those who would fire bullets at the mere mention of Lord Ram’s name are now saying that there has been tampering with faith... They would incite riots on Ram Navami, ban Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, prevent the Kanwar Yatra from taking place, incite riots during Durga Puja… Remember, the Congress didn’t just loot the country; they tore it apart,” Adityanath said.“The records of dishonesty and corruption they established, and those very people are now casting aspersions on Ayodhya? This is unacceptable. The government’s intention is clear…, everything will come before everyone. But I will appeal once again: do not test Ram devotees, stop tampering with their faith. If there are no facts or evidence, then stop the accusations and counter-accusations, and if there is evidence, then present it before the SIT. The government is proceeding with the action as per the SIT’s recommendations, and while the team of senior officials is working, stop making political statements about it,” he added.Earlier on Thursday, an FIR was registered against eight persons over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. All eight were associated with the process of counting cash and valuables received as donations at the temple.According to news agency PTI, the accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to theft by a clerk or servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property, and criminal conspiracy.Police said the accused were arrested in Ayodhya and are being questioned.The FIR, lodged at the instance of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, follows recommendations made in the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the allegations.“All eight persons named in the FIR have been arrested and are being questioned as part of the investigation,” the officials said on condition of anonymity.Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover told PTI, “The accused are in our custody. They will be produced before the court following preliminary questioning about the case.”Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in temple donations had been misappropriated. Following the allegations, the government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 after the Trust itself sought an investigation.The SIT, headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, examined donation collection, counting and storage procedures, scrutinised financial records, and recorded statements from nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration.Officials said the preliminary report recommended administrative reforms to improve transparency and accountability, though its full contents have not been made public.
